Pine Siskin

Spinus pinus

A feisty finch with a sharp, buzzy call, often spotted in flocks raiding backyard feeders across North America and beyond.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Pine Siskin is a small, streaky finch with a sharp, pointed bill.

Its brown-streaked body is accented by yellow edges on the wings and tail, most visible in flight. The bird has a short, notched tail and a somewhat flattened head profile.

Both sexes look similar, with males having slightly more yellow in their plumage. Juveniles resemble adults but may have less distinct markings and duller coloration overall.

Size

Length

11cm to 14cm

Wingspan

18cm to 22cm

Weight

12g to 18g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown Yellow

Secondary Colour

White

Beak Colour

Grey

Leg Colour

Brown

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Pine Siskin can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Pine Siskin is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Pine Siskin is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Pine Siskin is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Pine Siskin can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Pine Siskin is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Pine Siskin is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Pine Siskin is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Pine Siskin is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Pine Siskin is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Pine Siskin can be found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Pine Siskin is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Pine Siskins inhabit coniferous and mixed forests across North America, from Alaska to the southern United States. They are also found in parts of Mexico and Guatemala. Their range extends into the boreal forests of Canada and high-elevation areas in the western mountains.

In winter, they may irrupt southward in large numbers, appearing in deciduous woodlands, suburban areas, and even urban parks across the United States and Canada.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 4,000 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subarctic

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Pine Siskin. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons