The siskin (carduelis spinus) is a member of the finch family that bears some resemblance to the greenfinch, but it is noticeably smaller. They are quite common in the British Isles, especially in Wales and Scotland. Their breeding range extends from the south coast of England, up the western side of the country and into Scotland. In central and eastern England they are more likely to be seen as winter visitors, sometimes from continental Europe. They are widespread across much of Europe, with their range extending as far as western Siberia.

Migrations within Europe can take large flocks from Scandinavia to the Mediterranean.

Their preferred habitat is woodlands, particular coniferous (mainly spruce) forest during the breeding season and birch or alder woods during the winter. They are also seen in parks and gardens. They like to be near water and can often be seen bathing in streams.

The siskin is around 12 centimetres (less than 5 inches) long, dumpy in shape, with a short forked tail and sharply pointed bill. Like the greenfinch, the plumage of male siskins is predominantly yellow, with the upper plumage being greeny-grey. Unlike the greenfinch, the siskin's underparts are white towards the rear. Female siskins are greyer above and whiter below, and they do not have the black cap on the head that the males have. Both males and females have distinctive yellow bars on the wings and tail that are visible in flight. Juvenile birds of both sexes resemble the adult female, but with more streaks and a slightly browner colour.

The call of the siskin is a sharp, clear note, to which is added a slightly wheezier tone, especially in flight, and a hard twitter. The song is a pleasant warbling twitter.

The breeding season is from April to July. The female builds a nest at least 20 metres (65 feet) above the ground at the end of a conifer branch. The nest is made from thin twigs and bark and lined with feathers and animal hair. The clutch of three to five eggs is incubated for around 14 days by the female alone, but both birds feed the young for another 14 days, mainly on aphids and caterpillars. A second clutch is usual shortly after the first clutch has fledged.

The food of the adult birds is mainly tree seeds, to which are added small berries and the buds of evergreen trees. In order to get these, siskins often perform acrobatics similar to those of the tit family.

The siskin is not regarded as being in danger in the UK, either from predation or loss of habitat.

For further reading and illustrations:

Felix, J. "The illustrated book of birds". Octopus Books, 1978

Ferguson-Lees, J (et al). "The Shell guide to the birds of Britain and Ireland".

Michael Joseph, 1983

The RSPB website at http://www.rspb.org.uk/ . This site includes an audio clip of the bird's call.

Learn more about this author, John Welford.
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