Pine Siskin

Pine Siskin

This streaky brown finch has a narrow, fine-tipped bill and shows yellow flashes in the wings and tail in flight. The pine siskin is 5 inches in length. They are often overlooked when mixed in with winter flocks of American goldfinches, which are drab yellow (but not streaky) in nonbreeding plumage. The siskin’s heavy streaking also makes it resemble a female house finch, but note the siskin’s smaller, finer bill. Pine Siskins flock to thistle or nyjer feeders and other small seeds such as millet or hulled sunflower seeds. They may hang around whole sunflower seed feeders if heavier-billed birds are messy eaters and drop seed bits. If your yard has plants or weeds with hardy seed heads, such as dandelion, Pine Siskins may feed there as well. They will occasionally eat suet.

Pine Siskin

This streaky brown finch has a narrow, fine-tipped bill and shows yellow flashes in the wings and tail in flight. The pine siskin is 5 inches in length. They are often overlooked when mixed in with winter flocks of American goldfinches, which are drab yellow (but not streaky) in nonbreeding plumage. The siskin’s heavy streaking also makes it resemble a female house finch, but note the siskin’s smaller, finer bill. Pine Siskins flock to thistle or nyjer feeders and other small seeds such as millet or hulled sunflower seeds. They may hang around whole sunflower seed feeders if heavier-billed birds are messy eaters and drop seed bits. If your yard has plants or weeds with hardy seed heads, such as dandelion, Pine Siskins may feed there as well. They will occasionally eat suet.

Pine Siskin

Pine Siskins flock to thistle or nyjer feeders and other small seeds such as millet or hulled sunflower seeds. They may hang around whole sunflower seed feeders if heavier-billed birds are messy eaters and drop seed bits. If your yard has plants or weeds with hardy seed heads, such as dandelion, Pine Siskins may feed there as well. They will occasionally eat suet.

Pine Siskin

Pine Siskins flock to thistle or nyjer feeders and other small seeds such as millet or hulled sunflower seeds. They may hang around whole sunflower seed feeders if heavier-billed birds are messy eaters and drop seed bits. If your yard has plants or weeds with hardy seed heads, such as dandelion, Pine Siskins may feed there as well. They will occasionally eat suet.

Pine Siskin

Pine Siskins flock to thistle or nyjer feeders and other small seeds such as millet or hulled sunflower seeds. They may hang around whole sunflower seed feeders if heavier-billed birds are messy eaters and drop seed bits. If your yard has plants or weeds with hardy seed heads, such as dandelion, Pine Siskins may feed there as well. They will occasionally eat suet.