Andean Siskin vs Black-headed Siskin

Andean Siskin

Spinus spinescens

Tiny11 gGrassland

This is a small green-and-yellow finch. According to some sources, it is the smallest species of finch on average, although others give this title to the lesser goldfinch. The total length can range from 9.5 to 11 cm (3.7 to 4.3 in). A weight of 11.5 g (0.41 oz) may be at the high end. Few standard measurements are known, although the bill has been recorded at 1.1 cm (0.43 in) and the wing chord length is reportedly around 6.4 cm (2.5 in). The Andean siskin has deep green upperparts with black and yellow coloration on the wings and tail. The adult male has a distinctive black cap.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recorded by Niels Krabbe · Song · Carchi: eastern Páramo El Angel, Ecuador · CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: EstebanMH · CC BY 4.0

Black-headed Siskin

Spinus notatus

Tiny11 gForest

The black-headed siskin is 10.2 to 11.5 cm (4.0 to 4.5 in) long and weighs about 10 to 14 g (0.35 to 0.49 oz). The species is sexually dimorphic. Adult males of the nominate subspecies S. n. notatus have a black head and upper breast. Their nape, back, and scapulars are yellowish olive-green with mostly hidden black spots in the middle of the feathers. Their rump and uppertail coverts are yellow. Their tail is mostly black with lemon yellow bases on the outermost pair of feathers. Voice: One description of the black-headed siskin's song is "a varied, rapid, jangling, twittering warble, often prolonged, with repetition of phrases and odd nasal and metallic notes thrown in". Another is a "rapid, liquid, tinkling, buzzy series of repeated elements lasting up to 15 sec.". Its calls include "a nasal teu...a drawn-out tseeeu, or djeein, a dry jeh-jeht, and a nasal ti-chie".

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Grete Pasch · CC BY 4.0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Andean Siskin and Black-headed Siskin.