Pine SiskinPine Siskin -- South Dakota Birds
| Length: 5 inches | Wingspan: 9 inches | Seasonality: Winter/All Seasons |
| ID Keys: Brown upperparts, white underparts with heavy streaking, yellow at edges of tail and wings | ||
Pine Siskin
Carduelis pinus
A tame gregarious winter visitor throughout most of the state, although it may be found in all seasons in the Black Hills. Pine Siskins behave very similarly as Goldfinches, and are often found at home feeders with them. Pine Siskins are sometimes attracted to sources of salt, and many may be killed on salted roads in the winter.
Habitat: Prefers mixed or conifer forest during nesting season. Found in wide variety of habitats in winter and migration, including forest openings and edges, brushy fields, and residential areas.
Diet: Mostly seeds of trees such as birch and spruce, also other seeds, buds, flowers, nectar, and occasionally insects.
Nesting: April through July
Breeding Map: Breeding Bird Survey
Song: Pine Siskin Song.
Migrations: Winters throughout most of the U.S. Summers in Canada, the U.S. Rocky Mountains, New England, and the West Coast.
Feeders: Sunflower seed, thistle seed, occasionally other seeds.
Similar Species: House Finch, Purple Finch
Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Pine Siskin
2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Pine Siskin"
Photo Information: November 2nd, 2004 -- Home in Brandon -- Terry Sohl
Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Pine Siskin photos.
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Please mail any comments/suggestions/additional links for this page to: Terry L. Sohl
This page was last edited on 02/03/08
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