DSC9651 Siskin. - a photo on Flickriver

DSC9651 Siskin.

            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: April 20, 2022

Tags:

Siskin

Siskins

Animal

Animals

Birds.

Bird

Bird Photography

Countryside

Copse

Farmland

Forest

Forests

Finch

Finches

Flocks

Glades

Garden Birds

Heathland

Hedgerows

Heathlands

Heaths

Nature

Nature Photography

Nikon

Jeff Lack Photography

Ornithology

Wildlife.

Wildbirds

Wildlife Photography

Wetlands

Woodlands

Woodland

Woods

Trees « less

Groups appears in: • Birds • British Wildlife more » • Bird Lovers • Flickr Nature - NO B/W, People, Structures etc • Birds , Birds Birds • Bird Fanatics! (No Limits) • Bird Images • BIRDPIX (3/day) • *I Love Birds* • "Bird Brained" • ***The Wildlife Photography • Birds of Britain and Ireland • Nature Watch UK • A Guide To The Birds Of Europe • Bird and Nature Photography • Birds of the British Isles • *Flickr Photo Award* • British wild birds • Bird Watching Group (BWG): Post 1 : Award 2 • Beautiful Birds • BIRDS ARE BEAUTIFUL. • Birds and Wildlife UK • * Birds of Britain * • BBC Wales Nature & Landscapes • BIRDS - OISEAUX - AVES (POST 1 / COMMENT 1) • Bird Watchers • Birds Photos - Check out the new discussions! • Feathers+Beaks=Birds (P2 / C2) • All birds all the time • Birding In The Wild • Birds birds birds birds! • Birds UK • Avian Photography • British Garden Birds • Birds Birds Birds ! (Check out the new discussion) • Birdshare • National Geographic Wild Life • Birds and Wildlife Only!!! • Wales Birders • BirdWatching Magazine • BBC Springwatch (Official) • Photographing Birds • Birds Worldwide ! • BirdTrack • Nikon - Nature • National Trust Wildlife • Natural Britain • Amazing Birds ***No Rules, No Banning, No Sweepers*** • Great British Wildlife • AWESOME BIRDS ! (Award 2 Please) • Nikon WILDLIFE & NATURE • 4 Birds only • :: | Bird Photography |:: • [][][]Nature.. Light and Color[][][] • Best Bird Photographers • BBC Wildlife aspirations • MAD about BIRDS! • European Birds and Wildlife • FIELD GUIDE OF BIRDS • Audubon magazine • arbor square ~ A Nature Group ~ P1/C2 • Avian Wonders • Flickr Birds • Incredible Bird Photography • N-Photo Mag • Nikon Nature • "Watch The Birdie" P2 C2***Only birds*** NO OTHER IMAGES • Birding World • AVES DEL MUNDO -- BIRDS OF THE WORLD -- OISEAUX DU MONDE • Nature of the British Isles • BIRDWATCHING & WILDLIFE magazine • THE WORLD OF BIRDS • "ATTIMI DI NATURA - MOMENTS OF NATURE" • Birding for everyone! (Field Guide of the World) • Best Birds Worldwide • God's Birds • Amateur Photographer Magazine • Birds And Nature Of Britian • *Birds Photography* • Birds..wild birds field guide of Britain • Birdwatching in the World • Birdier • All Birds UK « less

Stats: 3,849 views / 61 comments