Pine Siskin - Sierra Club BC
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Pine Siskin

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Pine Siskin

Carduelis pinus 

Appearance

Pine siskins are small birds that resemble a sparrow when perched and measure only 4.25 inches long. They can be recognized by the yellow in their wings and tail, as well as the streaks of dark brown colour throughout their feathers. They have a short conical bill and a short forked tail. 

Range & Habitat

Pine siskins can be seen from Alaska through Canada to Arizona, and over the Rocky Mountains to Newfoundland and the northern New England States. They make their homes in coniferous and mixed forests, alder thickets, and brushy areas. 

Reciprocal relationships

Pine siskins play a vital role in the distribution of seeds for many trees. These birds eat mostly seeds from both coniferous and deciduous trees like alders, hemlocks, birches, and cedars. They fly to new locations and poop out these seeds or regurgitate them as pellets. In doing this, they expand the range that the trees grow in, contributing to a more diverse ecosystem. They also enjoy grasses and floral buds as part of their diet.  

Pine siskins can lay three to four eggs at a time that are pale green and lightly speckled with brown and black. During breeding season, these birds feed together systematically. They move from the tops of the trees to the bottom, and when they are finished, they move in a circular-shaped flight pattern starting again from the top of the next tree. They do not always use the same feeding grounds every year and may be completely absent from common areas during some years. 

Fortunately, the pine siskin is not an endangered species. However, there are still things we can do to foster this community. A key threat to pine siskin is overharvesting in forests, which decreases nesting area and the amount of food available to these birds.  

Status

COSEWIC: Not Reported 
CDC: Yellow 

More INformation

If you belong to a First Nation with a story or piece of information not represented here and you would like to share more about this species, please email us at education@sierraclub.bc.ca.   

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