pine siskin

1. Bird Name: The bird being profiled here is called the Pine Siskin. Its scientific name is Spinus pinus.

2. Appearance: The Pine Siskin is a small songbird with striking features. Its body is primarily brown with a strong overlay of yellow, more visible when in flight as it flutters its wings. Black streaks run across the body and its tail is notched. Pine Siskins have sharp, pointed bills that are perfect for extracting seeds. Their eyes are a dark, rich brown color. Both males and females share the same coloration and markings, making them hard to differentiate.

3. Size: On average, Pine Siskins measure 11 to 14cm (4.3 to 5.5 inches) in length. They sport a wingspan ranging from 18-22cm (7-8.7 inches). Their weight can range from 12-18 grams (0.4-0.6 ounces).

4. Habitat & Distribution: Pine Siskins inhabit the northern regions of North America ranging from Canada to northern parts of Mexico. They prefer open and partially open coniferous and mixed coniferous-deciduous woodlands, shrublands, suburban areas, and backyards as well.

5. Interesting Facts: One unique fact about Pine Siskins is their irregular migration patterns. Some years, they’ll venture south while other years, they stay up north. Another interesting feature is their social behavior; often forming large feeding flocks, and not minding having other birds in their territory. They also have a special pouch within their throat where they can store food for later use.

6. Diet: Pine Siskins primarily feed on seeds, especially those of conifers, as their name suggests. They also consume insects, spiders, and seeds of deciduous trees and weeds.

7. Behavior & Sounds: Pine Siskin have a distinct flight pattern in which they rapidly beat their wings and then fold them against their bodies. Their call is a buzzing “zreeet” and their song is a chaotic, continuous trill.

8. Conservation Status: According to the IUCN Red List, Pine Siskins are classified as being of “Least Concern.” However, large-scale die-offs due to salmonellosis are of growing concern.

9. Lifespan: Pine Siskins can live for about 8 years in the wild. Their lifespan in captivity is not well-documented.

10. Additional Notes: In Canadian French, Pine Siskins are known as “Tarins des Pins.” These birds have a unique adaptation in response to cold environments; they can ramp up their metabolic rates to stay warm, more so than any other finch. In terms of their role in ecosystems, Pine Siskins help with seed dispersal through their primary feeding habits. They are also important as prey for larger avian predators.