Eurasian Siskin
Spinus spinus
The Eurasian Siskin (Spinus spinus) is a common finches, euphonias, and alli found in 87 countries, weighing about 13 g. The Eurasian siskin is a small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae.
About the Eurasian Siskin
The Eurasian siskin is a small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae. It is also called the European siskin, common siskin or just siskin. Other (archaic) names include black-headed goldfinch, barley bird and aberdevine. It is very common throughout Europe and Eurosiberia. It is found in forested areas, both coniferous and mixed woodland where it feeds on seeds of all kinds, especially of alder and conifers.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
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.
What the Eurasian Siskin sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in United States, India, Canada, St. Pierre & Miquelon, Vietnam, San Marino.
When to see it
The Eurasian Siskin can be seen all year round, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Eurasian Siskin?
- 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). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Eurasian Siskin?
- The Eurasian Siskin is a tiny sized bird weighing about 13 g.
- Where can you see a Eurasian Siskin?
- The Eurasian Siskin occurs in 87 countries, including Sweden, Finland, Norway, France and the United Kingdom.
- What does a Eurasian Siskin sound like?
- You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Eurasian Siskin on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Eurasian Siskin?
- The Eurasian Siskin is most easily confused with the Pine Siskin, the Lesser Goldfinch and the Hooded Siskin.
- Is the Eurasian Siskin endangered?
- The Eurasian Siskin is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Eurasian Siskin for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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