Eurasian Siskin

© Martin Grimm

Eurasian Siskin Spinus spinus (Linnaeus 1758)

Appearance:
A small finch with a striking sexual dimorphism. Adult males bright yellow-green and black body parts and flight feathers, black crown. Adult females pale-grey and black, yellow-green wingbars, boldly streaked underparts. Juveniles lack the black crown but ear coverts yellow-green tinged, thinly streaked underparts.erparts.

Natural History:
The Eurasian Siskin is widespread in Europe and discontinuously in East Asia. They are more or less bound to conifers, but can also be found in deciduous forests, especially in winter.
It is a regular migratory species, but migratory movements decrease from north to south in its distribution area. During food shortages, invasions occur. Then large groups of several hundred birds can be observed.
Eurasian Siskins can also be observed frequently at bird feeders. The mainly feed on seeds, shoots and fruits, but also invertebrates.

Taxonomy:
monotypic
-> W and N Europe to E Russia and NE China

Object of study: mimicry in song

Song:

Eurasian Siskin Spinus spinus, song
PFR16543, 10/04/2020, Lehnin, Germany, Patrick Franke

FiRN Needs: Recordings of Eurasian Siskin songs from the entire distribution area would be appreciated.

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