Eurasian Siskin (Spinus spinus) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

The Eurasian Siskin is a small finch of Europe and Asia and a very rare visitor to the United States. Males have a black cap and yellow face, while females are paler and more streaked. Both sexes have yellow wing markings.

Appearance

Appearance: This small finch has yellow wing markings. Males show a black cap and yellow face, while females are paler and more streaked.

Look-alikes

Pine SiskinSpinus pinus

A typical Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus) is mostly brown and heavily streaked, with only narrow yellow in the wings and tail. A male Eurasian Siskin has a clear black cap and a much brighter yellow face.

Why they get mixed upBoth are small, sharp-billed siskins with yellow in the wings.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: Conifer and mixed forests in Eurasia
Range: Its regular range lies in Europe and Asia. Records from the United States are exceptional, including Attu Island, Alaska.
Seasonal presence: A very rare visitor in the United States.

Behavior

Diet: In its Eurasian range, it mainly eats seeds from trees such as alder and .

Name and classification

About the name: Older bird records may call this species Carduelis spinus; it is the same bird.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: LCLeast ConcernLow risk of extinction

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