DSC6356 Siskin.... - a photo on Flickriver

            Siskin - Carduelis Spinus

The Eurasian siskin (Spinus spinus) is a small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae. It is also called the European siskin, common siskin or just siskin. Other (archaic) names include black-headed goldfinch, barley bird and aberdevine. It is very common throughout Europe and Asia. It is found in forested areas, both coniferous and mixed woodland where it feeds on seeds of all kinds, especially of alder and conifers.
 
These birds have an unusual migration pattern as every few years in winter they migrate southwards in large numbers. The reasons for this behaviour are not known but may be related to climatic factors and above all the availability of food. In this way overwintering populations can thrive where food is abundant. This small finch is an acrobatic feeder, often hanging upside-down like a tit. It will visit garden bird feeding stations.

These birds can be found throughout the year in Central Europe and some mountain ranges in the south of the continent. They are present in the north of Scandinavia and in Russia and they over-winter in the Mediterranean basin and the area around the Black Sea. In China they breed in the Khingan Mountains of Inner Mongolia and in Jiangsu province; they spend summer in Tibet, Taiwan, the valleys of the lower Yangtse River and the south east coast.

The Eurasian siskin is occasionally seen in North America. There is also a similar and closely related North America counterpart, the pine siskin, Spinus pinus.

heir seasonal distribution is also marked by the fact that they follow an anomalous migration pattern. Every few years they migrate southwards in larger numbers and the overwintering populations in the Iberian Peninsula are greatly augmented. This event has been the object of diverse theories, one theory suggests that it occurs in the years when Norway Spruce produces abundant fruit in the centre and north of Europe, causing populations to increase. An alternative theory is that greater migration occurs when the preferred food of alder or birch seed fails. This species will form large flocks outside the breeding season, often mixed with redpolls.

It is a bird that does not remain for long in one area but which varies the areas it used for breeding, feeding, over-wintering from one year to the next.

They are very active and restless birds. They are also very social, forming small cohesive flocks especially in autumn and winter. They are fairly trusting of humans, it being possible to observe them from a short distance. During the breeding season, however, they are much more timid, solitary and difficult to observe.

Population:

UK breeding:

410,000 pairs

Taken on: February 21, 2020

Tags:

Siskin

Siskins

Animal

Animals

Birds.

Bird

Bird Photography

Farmland

Forest

Forests

Fields

Finch

Finches

Trees

Countryside

Copse

Wildlife.

Wildbirds

Wetlands

Wildlife Photography

Woodlands

Woodland

Woods

Nature

Nature Photography

Nikon

Ornithology

Jeff Lack Photography

Song Birds

Flocks

Garden Birds

Glades

Grasslands « less

Sets appears in: • Explore • Siskin

Groups appears in: • Birds • Bird Lovers more » • Birds , Birds Birds • Bird Fanatics! (No Limits) • BIRDPIX (3/day) • *I Love Birds* • "Bird Brained" • Birds of Britain and Ireland • A Guide To The Birds Of Europe • Bird and Nature Photography • Birds of the British Isles • Bird Watching Group (BWG): Post 1 : Award 2 • Beautiful Birds • BIRDS ARE BEAUTIFUL. • Birds and Wildlife UK • * Birds of Britain * • BBC Wales Nature & Landscapes • Bird Watchers • **Simply Superb (P 1- A 2)** • Birds Photos - Check out the new discussions! • Birding In The Wild • Birds birds birds birds! • Birds UK • Avian Photography • Birdshare • Best Wildlife Photos -Animals,Insects!(NO PEOPLE/PET/BUILDINGS) • Birds and Wildlife Only!!! • BirdWatching Magazine • #4 PLATINUM WILDLIFE/ Post 1 - Award 1 (P2-A2) with CODE • BBC Springwatch (Official) • BirdTrack • *Specialist Nature & Wildlife Photographers* (P1 - A2) • Amazing Birds ***No Rules, No Banning, No Sweepers*** • 4 Birds only • :: | Bird Photography |:: • #3 PALLADIUM WILDLIFE/ Post 1 - Award 5 (P2-A10) with CODE • [][][]Nature.. Light and Color[][][] • Best Bird Photographers • *Feathers & Beaks* P1 - A3 • Audubon magazine • Avian Wonders • -- AMORE PER LA NATURA - P1/C2 • Birding World • AVES DEL MUNDO -- BIRDS OF THE WORLD -- OISEAUX DU MONDE • Our Wonderful and Fragile World - P1 - A4 • BIRDWATCHING & WILDLIFE magazine • "ATTIMI DI NATURA - MOMENTS OF NATURE" • Birding for everyone! (Field Guide of the World) • * Wonderful World of Wildlife * • Birds with 50+ Faves or Comments • in explore • Best Birds Worldwide • Amateur Photographer Magazine • NATURE'S KALEIDOSCOPE P1 X A1 • Aardvark To Zyzzyva • Birds And Nature Of Britian • *Birds Photography* • Birds..wild birds field guide of Britain • Birdwatching in the World • Birdier • Specialists' Choice Nature & Wildlife (P1 - A2) • The Specialists' Hall of Fame • All Birds UK • EXPLORER PHOTOS FROM 2021 AND ALSO OF THE PAST, • ANIMAL FAUNA AND INSECTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.FAUNA ANIMAL E • GRANDES COMPOSICIONES DE LA FOTOGRAFIA MUNDIAL.LARGE COMPOSITION « less

Stats: 15,324 views / 196 comments