Yellow-bellied Siskin
Spinus xanthogastrus
The Yellow-bellied Siskin (Spinus xanthogastrus) is a uncommon finches, euphonias, and alli found in 6 countries, weighing about 13 g. The yellow-bellied siskin is a small passerine bird in the family Fringillidae, the finches and euphonias.
About the Yellow-bellied Siskin
The yellow-bellied siskin is a small passerine bird in the family Fringillidae, the finches and euphonias. It is found from Costa Rica south to Bolivia.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
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.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Venezuela.
When to see it
The Yellow-bellied Siskin can be seen all year round, with peak activity in January. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Yellow-bellied Siskin?
- 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). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Yellow-bellied Siskin?
- The Yellow-bellied Siskin is a tiny sized bird weighing about 13 g.
- Where can you see a Yellow-bellied Siskin?
- The Yellow-bellied Siskin occurs in 6 countries, including Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama and Bolivia.
- What birds look similar to a Yellow-bellied Siskin?
- The Yellow-bellied Siskin is most easily confused with the Black-headed Siskin, the Andean Siskin and the Black Siskin.
- Is the Yellow-bellied Siskin endangered?
- The Yellow-bellied Siskin is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
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