Bird Guide

Eurasian Siskin vs Redpoll

Eurasian Siskin (Spinus spinus)

Eurasian Siskin

Spinus spinus

Tiny13 gForest

The siskin is a small, short-tailed bird, 11–12.5 centimetres (4.3–4.9 in) in length with a wingspan that ranges from 20 to 23 centimetres (7.9 to 9.1 in). It weighs between 12 and 18 grams (0.42 and 0.63 oz). The bird shows sexual dimorphism. The male has a greyish-green back, a yellow rump, yellow sides to the tail with a black tip, black wings with a distinctive yellow wing stripe, a yellowish breast that becomes whiter and striped towards the cloaca, a black bib (or chin patch) and two yellow auriculas and a black cap on its head. Voice: This bird has two calls, both powerful but conflicting, one is descending and the other is ascending, their onomatopoeic sounds can be represented as "tilu" and "tluih". On occasions they also issue a harsh rattling chirrup. Like other finches, the song is a smooth, rapid twitter and trill of long duration, occasionally interrupted by stronger or shorter syllables.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Carlo Fracasso · CC0
Photo: (c) caroline legg, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Redpoll (Acanthis flammea)

Redpoll

Acanthis flammea

Tiny13 gForest

The redpoll is a small brownish-grey finch with dark streaks and a bright red patch on its forehead. It has a black bib and two pale stripes on the wings. Males' breasts are often suffused with red. Adults measure between 11.5 and 14 centimetres (4.5 and 5.5 in) in length and weighing between 12 and 16 grams (0.42 and 0.56 oz). Wingspan ranges from 7.5 to 8.7 in (19–22 cm). The rump is streaked and there is a broad dark brown streak across the vent. It has brown legs, a dark-tipped yellowish bill and dark brown irises.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Sonothèque ADVL · CC0
Photo: Михаил Языков · CC BY 4.0

Where you might meet both

And 17 more countries.

Learn this pair in BeakBrain

Photo and call practice, free in any browser.

Play BeakBrain

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Eurasian Siskin and Redpoll.