siskin

The siskin is a small seed-eating finch name applied to several species in the genus Spinus. The best-known forms are the Eurasian siskin (Spinus spinus), found across Europe and into Asia, and the pine siskin (Spinus pinus), common in North America. The term can also refer to other Spinus finches that resemble siskins or are locally called siskins or goldfinches.

Siskins are compact birds about 11 to 13 centimeters long. They typically have olive-green upperparts with yellow or yellowish wing patches, though males are often brighter than females. Females and immature birds are duller and more brownish. Plumage can vary seasonally, with non-breeding individuals appearing more muted.

Their habitats include coniferous and mixed forests, woodland edges, and open woodlands where seeds are abundant. Siskins are highly social, often foraging in flocks and joining mixed-species groups outside the breeding season. Their diet centers on seeds from conifers and herbaceous plants, supplemented by small insects during the breeding period.

Breeding involves a cup-shaped nest placed in a tree. The female lays several eggs, which she incubates, with both parents helping to feed the young. Pine siskins are especially known for irruptive migrations in response to variable seed production, leading to irregular, widespread movements. Eurasian siskins are more likely to be resident or only short-distance migrants in boreal regions.

Conservation status varies by species and region, but most siskins are widespread and not currently considered threatened. Regional declines can occur due to habitat loss or food shortages, though overall populations remain stable in many areas.