Bird Guide

Andean Siskin vs Yellow-bellied Siskin

Andean Siskin (Spinus spinescens)

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

Sonogram of the Andean Siskin
Recorded by Niels Krabbe · Song · Carchi: eastern Páramo El Angel, Ecuador · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: EstebanMH · CC BY 4.0
Yellow-bellied Siskin (Spinus xanthogastrus)

Yellow-bellied Siskin

Spinus xanthogastrus

Tiny13 gForest

The yellow-bellied siskin is 10 to 11.5 cm (3.9 to 4.5 in) long and weighs about 11 to 14 g (0.39 to 0.49 oz). The species is sexually dimorphic. Adult males of the nominate subspecies have a glossy black head, chin, breast, and upperparts. Their tail is mostly glossy black with yellow bases to the outer feathers. Their wings are mostly glossy black with bright yellow bases on the primaries and secondaries. Their lower breast, belly, and undertail coverts are bright yellow with an olive tinge on the flanks. Voice: One description of the yellow-bellied siskin's song is "a fast, bubbly ser. of twitters, buzzy notes, and musical sputterings, almost as if randomly generated". It is "complex and usually with a few high, thin notes mixed with low nasal notes". Its calls include "thin or high-pitched pee or pyee and harsher bziee" notes.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Emily Franzen · CC BY 4.0

Where you might meet both

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