The siskin is a small, yellow-green finch. It has a distinctly short forked tail, yellow/white barring on black wings and a bright yellow breast and cheeks. The male has a black crown. The female is an olive-green colour with light streaking on the flanks; it lacks the black crown and the breast colouring is more subdued. 

Behaviour

Breeds in coniferous and mixed woodland, especially where there is a predominance of spruce, alder and birch. It frequently forms nesting colonies of up to six pairs. It builds a bowl-shaped nest high up in spruce trees using twigs, moss and other soft materials. Two to five eggs are normally laid, hatching after around two weeks. The chicks stay in the nest for roughly two weeks before fledging. Most breeding activity occurs in spring, from March. A second brood is often started in mid-June to mid-July. 

Siskins are acrobatic feeders, often observed in trees hanging upside-down as they try to reach food. They are highly agile and adept at using their feet to bring hanging food into reach. They generally feed in trees or on plants, avoiding eating on the ground. 

Size

• Length: 12cm
• Wingspan 20-23cm
• Weight: 10-18g

Status

Classified in the UK as Green under the Birds of Conservation Concern 4: the Red List for Birds (2015); Protected by The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Distribution

Widespread as a resident breeder from southern England to northern Scotland, but much more numerous and well-established in Scotland and Wales. Winter numbers are augmented by migrants from northern Europe, which depart at the onset of spring. Absent in the north-west Highlands and Cairngorms and in areas where there are few trees. It is a rare breeder on the Shetland Isles and Outer Hebrides. Numbers and range increased in the latter part of the 20th century reflecting the increasing area of suitable breeding habitats provided by mature post-war conifer plantations.

When to see

All year round

Facts

• The siskin was first was described by Carl Linnaeus in his landmark Systema naturae as Fringilla spinus in 1758. In 1760, Brisson described the genus Carduelis, where this species was then placed. More recent taxonomic studies suggest placing it in the genus Spinus, though many references are still made to the scientific name Carduelis spinus. 

• Siskins sing throughout the year, often in groups. Like other finches the song is a smooth and rapid twitter and trill with a long duration, occasionally interrupted by a stronger of shorter syllable. Their call is described descending or ascending “tilu” and “tluih”.