Bird Feature: Pine Siskin

Identifying the Pine Siskin:

Pine Siskins are small, slender finches (about 4½ - 5 inches long) with heavily streaked brown and buff plumage. Their pointed, conical bills help them feed on tiny seeds. When they move, look for flashes of bright yellow on their wings and tail. Their sound is distinctive as they make a rising, buzzy “bzzzt” call as they flit in flocks.

Where Pine Siskins live:

Pine Siskins are most often found in northern conifer forests where spruce, pine, and fir trees provide both shelter and food. Their range covers much of Canada and the northern United States during the breeding season. In winter, their movements are unpredictable, and they may travel far beyond their usual areas in search of better seed supplies. These large and irregular movements are known as irruptions, events that can bring big flocks into new regions for a season when natural food sources fluctuate.

Attracting Pine Siskins to your feeder:

Pine Siskins are enthusiastic visitors when the right food is available. One of their favorites is Nyjer seed (also known as thistle), which provides the high energy they depend on during cold months. Sunflower chips are another excellent option and work well in platform feeders or mesh feeders. Because Pine Siskins often arrive in groups, having multiple feeding stations can help reduce crowding and ensure plenty of access for all.

Bird feeders that attract Pine Siskins:

Nesting:

Pine Siskins build their nests in conifer trees, most often on horizontal branches that are well concealed by dense needles. The female constructs the nest, creating a shallow cup made from twigs, grasses, bark strips, moss, and lichen. The interior is lined with soft materials such as plant down, fur, or fine grasses.

Clutch size usually ranges from 3 to 5 eggs. The eggs are pale blue and lightly marked with brown or black speckles, and measure about 0.6 to 0.7 inches in length. The female incubates the eggs for approximately 13 days. After hatching, nestlings remain in the nest for about 14 to 17 days before fledging. During this period, both parents feed the young, with the male often providing most of the food during the early stages of incubation and brooding.

Depending on conditions such as food availability and weather, Pine Siskins may raise 1 to 2 broods per year, although many pairs successfully complete only a single brood in a season.