Name: Pine Siskin

Description: The Pine Siskin is quite sociable, enjoying the companionship of their own kind as evidenced by their lack of territorial squabbling even during the nesting season. In summer, they are often seen with flocks of Goldfinches at backyard feeding stations. Pine Siskins are quite tame and easy to attract to feeders. Pine Siskins breed from central Yukon across Canada southward to the northern United States in the east, through the mountain states in the west, and into central Mexico to Guatemala.

Other Names: Pine Finch

Color: This tiny bird is recognizable by its heavily-streaked, grayish-brown upper parts, two white or buff wing bars, and white-streaked under parts. The base of its wings and tail feathers are yellow. Both genders look similar, although males tend to have more yellow coloring.

Sound: Pine Siskins are usually detected by the sounds they make as the flock is flying. Their call is a loud “chlee-ip” and a light “tit-i-tit’ or “zwee-e-e-e-t.”

Preferred Environment: As its name suggests, the Pine Siskin’s favorite habitat is the coniferous woods, although Pine Siskins can be found in the crowns of aspens and poplars, especially in spring. Pine Siskins may also be found hanging upside down from the catkins as they busily extract the seeds.

Nesting Habits: The female Pine Siskin chooses the nest site and constructs it between 6 and 29 feet (1.8 to 12 m) above ground in a conifer or deciduous tree. She builds the nest away from the trunk in a branch fork, using fine twigs, shredded bark, lichens and rootlets, and lines it with plant down, fine rootlets, moss or hair.

Food Preference: Pine Siskins feed on niger, canola and black-oil sunflower seeds.