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Siskin (Carduelis spinus)

Scientific name: Carduelis spinus

Family: Finches (Fringillidae)

Wingspan: 20 - 23cm (8 - 9")

Diet: Mainly insects and seeds

Feed with: Ideal food for the siskin includes peanuts, seeds and fats. They happily feed from hanging feeders.

Habitat: Siskins can be found commonly among the tops of trees. During Winter, they are abundant through England.

Lifespan: 2 - 3 Years

Siskin Characteristics

The Siskin is a small finch about the size of a blue tit. It is agile and colourful.

Their plumage is comprised mainly of yellow and black streaks, although the breast is almost exclusively yellow with yellow patches on the tail and wings. The bill is yellow, relatively short and stubby

Siskin Feeding

Siskin mainly feed on small cone seeds from trees such as alder, birch, spruce and pine. The short, stubby nature of the siskin bill makes it convenient to eat these types of cone seeds.

In the garden, the ideal seed to give to siskins is niger seed. They are particularly attracted to red coloured feeders and will only to the garden when supply in nature is short.

Siskin Breeding & Nesting

Siskin breeding begins in mid-March and the eggs are glossy and smooth, with a light blue colour and lilac-coloured speckles. The incubation period lasts between 11 - 14 days and there are roughly 13 - 15 fledge days.

Siskin nests are made of materials such as twigs and lichen with an interior lining of feathers and fine roots. These nests can often be seen high up in conifer trees.

Siskin Audio

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