Pine Siskins, Carduelis pinus, are small finches found in Northern America.
These birds are fairly small, being around the same size as the widespread
Description:
Size
- Body Length (including tail): 4.3 – 5.5 inches (11 – 14 cm)
- Wingspan: 7.1 – 8.7 inches (18 – 22 cm)
- Weight: 0.42 – 0.62 oz (12 – 18 g)
- Comparative size: About the size of a Goldfinch
Other Physical Attributes
- Brown above, pale below except for yellow patches on wings and tail (not always visible)
- Plumage heavily streaked
- Short, forked tail
Range:
They occur naturally across Canada, Alaska and the western mountains and northern parts of the United States. Depending on the availability of food supplies, they may remain in their breeding territory, or they migrate south in some years.
Diet / Feeding:
Pine Siskins mainly feed on seeds, plant parts and some insects. They forage in trees, shrubs and weeds, and may join mixed feeding flocks during the winter, which may include American Goldfinches and Redpolls.
Nesting
Their nests are typically well concealed and placed on horizontal branches of trees (typically conifers).
