Eurasian Siskin population has increased by 77% since 2004 in the UK. They feed and nest in conifer plantations and it is thought that the birds are benefitting from the extensive areas of conifer plantation that are now reaching maturity and producing seed.

Eurasian Siskin

The Eurasian Siskin - Carduelis spinus - is also called the European Siskin, Common Siskin or just Siskin. It is very common throughout Europe and Asia and is found in forested areas.

Description

The male has a greyish green back, yellow rump, the sides of the tail are yellow and the end is black. The wings are black with a distinctive yellow wing stripe, its breast is yellowish becoming whiter and striped. The female is more olive-coloured than the male. The cap and the auriculas are greenish with a white bib and a rump that is a slightly striped whitish yellow. The legs and feet are dark brown and the eyes are black. Young Siskin’s have similar to females.

Call

They have two of calls - "tilu" and "tluih". Siskin’s also issue a harsh rattling chirrup.

The song is similar to the other finches, a smooth and rapid twitter and trill with a long duration and which is occasionally interrupted by a stronger of shorter syllable. Siskins sing throughout the year and often in groups.

Food

They feed in trees and are mainly seed eaters. When feeding chicks they feed more on  insects.

Breeding

They build the nest in trees and the female lays between 2 and 6 white or light grey or light blue eggs with small brown spots. The female incubates the eggs for about 14 days and the chicks leave the nest about 15 days later.

 Conservation Status – Least Concern

This species has an extremely large range and there does not seem to be a major decline in population numbers and for this reason the ICUN has listed their conservation status as Least Concern.