Black-capped Siskin
Spinus atriceps
The Black-capped Siskin (Spinus atriceps) is a rare finches, euphonias, and alli found in 2 countries, weighing about 13 g. The black-capped siskin is a species of bird in the family Fringillidae, the finches and euphonias.

About the Black-capped Siskin
The black-capped siskin is a species of bird in the family Fringillidae, the finches and euphonias. It is found in Mexico and Guatemala.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The black-capped siskin is 11 to 13 cm (4.3 to 5.1 in) long. One male weighed 12.5 g (0.44 oz) and one female14.5 g (0.51 oz). The species is sexually dimorphic. Adult males have black lores, forehead, and crown. Their chin and throat are blackish and the rest of their head is dark greenish olive. Their nape is deep green and their back and rump a lighter green. Their tail feathers are mostly black or blackish with thin bright yellowish green edges and bright yellow bases on the outermost pair. Their wings have a complicated pattern. Their median coverts are bright olive-green. Voice: The black-capped siskin's song is "a varied buzzy, tinkling, liquid warble". Its calls include a "buzzy tzzzeeeeee!", a "tzeep! or double-noted tzeep-cheet!", and a "chit'chit'chit'chit'chit" chatter.
Where it lives
When to see it
The Black-capped Siskin can be seen all year round, with peak activity in April. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Black-capped Siskin?
- The black-capped siskin is 11 to 13 cm (4.3 to 5.1 in) long. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Black-capped Siskin?
- The Black-capped Siskin is a tiny sized bird weighing about 13 g.
- Where can you see a Black-capped Siskin?
- The Black-capped Siskin occurs in 2 countries, including Guatemala and Mexico.
- What birds look similar to a Black-capped Siskin?
- The Black-capped Siskin is most easily confused with the Saffron Siskin, the Tibetan Serin and the Thick-billed Siskin.
- Is the Black-capped Siskin endangered?
- The Black-capped Siskin is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Black-capped Siskin for real
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