Eurasian siskin

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Eurasian siskin
Carduelis spinus male.jpg
Male
Carduelis spinus female.jpg
Female
Birds recorded in Surrey, England
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringillidae
Subfamily: Carduelinae
Genus: Spinus
Species:
S. spinus
Binomial name
Spinus spinus
SpinusSpinusIUCN.svg
Range of the Eurasian siskin
  Breeding
  Resident
  Non-breeding
Synonyms
  • Fringilla spinusLinnaeus, 1758
  • Carduelis spinusLinnaeus, 1758

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, [2] barley bird and aberdevine. [3] It is very common throughout Europe and Eurosiberia. It is found in forested areas, both coniferous and mixed woodland where it feeds on seeds of all kinds, especially of alder and conifers.

Contents

It can be distinguished from other similar finches by the colour of the plumage. The upper parts are greyish green and the under parts grey-streaked white. Its wings are black with a conspicuous yellow wing bar, and the tail is black with yellow sides. The male has a mainly yellow face and breast, with a neat black cap. Female and young birds have a greyish green head and no cap. It is a trusting, sociable and active bird. The song of this bird is a pleasant mix of twitters and trills. For these reasons it is often raised in captivity.

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.

Taxonomy and systematics

The siskin was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his landmark 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae as Fringilla spinus, in the 10th edition of Systema Naturae . [4] In 1760, Brisson described the genus Carduelis , where this species was then placed. Recent taxonomic studies suggest placing it in the genus Spinus.

The scientific name Spinus is from the Ancient Greek spinos, a name for a now-unidentifiable bird. [5] The English name is from German dialect sisschen or zeischen. [6]

Despite being found across a wide area it is a monotypic species, that is, there are no distinct subspecies. [7] This could be explained by a number of factors, such as spatial variability of individuals in breeding areas between years, the large overwintering area which supports a constant genetic interchange, and females having a number of clutches of eggs in one breeding season, each in a different place. [8]

Description

The siskin is a small, short-tailed bird, 11–12.5 centimetres (4.3–4.9 in) in length [9] [10] with a wingspan that ranges from 20 to 23 centimetres (7.9 to 9.1 in). [11] [12] [13] It weighs between 12 and 18 grams (0.42 and 0.63 oz). [11] [12] [14]

The bird's appearance shows sexual dimorphism. 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 towards the cloaca; it has a black bib (or chin patch) and on its head it has two yellow auriculas and a black cap. [10] The amount of black on the bib is very variable between males and the size of the bib has been related to dominance within a flock. [15] The plumage of 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. [16] The young have a similar colouration to the females, with drab colours and a more subdued plumage. [10]

The shape of the siskin's beak is determined by its feeding habits. It is strong although it is also slender in order to pick up the seeds on which they feed. The legs and feet are dark brown and the eyes are black. [16]

It has a rapid and bounding flight pattern that is similar to other finches. [14]

The siskin is easy to recognize, but in some instances it can be confused with other finches such as the citril finch, the European greenfinch or the European serin. [16] The Eurasian siskin, in many plumages, is a bright bird. Adult male Eurasian siskins are bright green and yellow with a black cap, and an unstreaked throat and breast. Adult females also usually have green and yellow plumage tones: for example, yellow in the supercilium and on the sides of the breast, green tones in the mantle and yellow in the rump. The ground colour of the underparts of the Eurasian siskin is normally pure white. In females and juveniles, the centre of the belly and lower breast are often largely or entirely unstreaked. The wingbars of the Eurasian siskin are broad and yellow (with the tips white) and the bill is short with a decurved culmen.

Distribution and habitat

This species can be found across the greater part of Eurosiberia and the north of Africa. Its breeding area is separated into two zones, both on each side of the Palearctic realm: the eastern coast of Asia and the central and northern part of Europe. [17]

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 winter in Tibet, Taiwan, the valleys of the lower Yangtse River and the south east coast. [18]

The Eurasian siskin is occasionally seen in North America. [19] There is also a similar and closely related North America counterpart, the pine siskin (Spinus pinus). [15]

Their 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. [10] [20] This event has been the object of diverse theories, one theory suggests that it occurs in the years when Norway spruce produces abundant seeds 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 uses for breeding and feeding, over-wintering from one year to the next.

Its habitat is forested areas at a particular altitude on a mountain side and they have a certain predilection for humid areas. [10] [17] Coniferous woodland, especially spruce, is favoured for breeding. It builds its nest in a tree, laying 2–6 eggs. The British range of this once local breeder has expanded greatly due to an increase in commercial conifer plantations. The siskin also breeds in mixed woodland; while in winter they prefer stubble and crops and areas containing trees with seeds.

Behaviour and ecology

They are very active and restless birds. They are also very social, forming small cohesive flocks especially in autumn and winter. [21] 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. For this reason there is a German legend which says that siskins guard a magic stone in their nests that makes them invisible. [22] [23] It is one of the few species which has been described as exhibiting "allofeeding"' behavior, this is where subordinates (of the same sex) regurgitate food for the dominant members of the group, [24] which creates a strong cohesion in the flocks and implies a hierarchical structure within the group. [25]

Feeding

Pair (male above) feeding in an alder tree, illustration by Naumann Carduelis spinus naumann.jpg
Pair (male above) feeding in an alder tree, illustration by Naumann

The siskin is mainly a granivore, although it varies its diet depending on the season. It feeds in trees, avoiding eating on the ground. [14]

In autumn and winter, its diet is based on the seeds of deciduous trees such as birch and, above all, alder. [10] [20] They also visit cultivated areas and pasture, where they join with other finches in eating the seeds of various Compositae such as thistles, dandelions, Artemisia , knapweeds and other herbaceous plants, such as St. John's wort, meadowsweet and sorrel. [13] [20]

In spring, during the breeding season, they are found in coniferous forests. At this time their feeding is based on the seeds of these trees, especially on trees belonging to the genera Abies , Picea and Larix . [20] [8] They also feed on elms and poplars. When feeding the young they eat more insects, mainly beetles, as the proteins they contain help the chicks to grow. In summer their feeding is more varied, adding other herbaceous plants to their diet of conifer seeds: goosefoots and other Compositae. [8]

Reproduction

Eggs of Spinus spinus Carduelis spinus MHNT.ZOO.2010.11 Anvers.jpg
Eggs of Spinus spinus

Pairs are generally formed during the winter period before migration. [26] The males compete aggressively for the females. As part of the courtship the male plumps up the feathers of the pileus and rump, making itself bigger, extending the tail and singing repeatedly. [8] [27] They also make mating flights from tree to tree, although they are not as eye-catching as the flights of the other finches. [20] They construct a nest that is generally located at the end of a relatively high branch in a conifer, such that the nest is reasonably hidden and difficult to see. [13] [20] On the Iberian Peninsula they make their nests in afirs, Scotch pine and Corsican pine. [28] They form small colonies of up to six pairs with the nests located near to each other. [25] The nest is small and bowl-shaped. It is made from small twigs, dried grasses, moss and lichen and lined with down. [20] [22] [8]

The first brood is born in mid-April. [8] The female lays between 2 and 6 eggs. [20] [22] [29] The eggs are white or light grey or light blue, with small brown spots [20] [22] and they are approximately 16.5 mm by 12 mm in size. [13] [20] [22] Incubation takes between 10 and 14 days and is carried out entirely by the female. [12] [20] [22] The chicks are altricial and nidicolous. They leave the nest after 15 days in a semi-feathered condition. They then remain close to the nest area for up to a month when, with their plumage now complete, they disperse. [8] The siskin usually has a second brood, from the middle of June up to the middle of July. [20]

Song and call

This bird has two calls, both powerful but conflicting, one is descending and the other is ascending, their onomatopoeic sounds can be represented as "tilu" and "tluih". [10] On occasions they also issue a harsh rattling chirrup. [10] [20]

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 or shorter syllable. Siskins sing throughout the year and often in groups. [10] [20]

Status and conservation

The worldwide population of the siskin is estimated as between 20 and 36 million. [30] The European population is estimated as between 2.7 and 15 million pairs. [31] [32] There does not seem to be a major decline in population numbers and for this reason the IUCN has listed their conservation status as least concern. [1] The siskin appears in Annex II of the Berne Convention as a protected bird species. [33]

Relationship with humans

Structure holding cages used for listening to siskins at the singing contest of Sagra dei Osei, Italy Sagra dei Osei Carduelis spinus.JPG
Structure holding cages used for listening to siskins at the singing contest of Sagra dei Osei, Italy

Like many of the finches, the siskin is valued by aviculturalists as a domestic bird for its song and appearance. They do not require specific care and adapt well to captivity, although they do not breed well in captivity. [29] There are no specific diseases that affect the species, although they can show certain intestinal pathologies associated with a poor diet. [29] They live for between 11 and 14 years, [22] [29] in sharp contrast to the 2 or 3 years it is estimated they live in the wild. [14]

They form hybrids with some other finches (for example, canaries) giving rise to intermediate birds. [34] [35] Hybridisation also occurs in nature without human intervention.[ failed verification ] [36] In some areas, individuals that are found are the result of escapes or releases of captive birds. [37]

Cultural depictions

Poland, Gibraltar, Benin and Belgium have all issued postage stamps bearing the image of the siskin. [12] [38]

In Saint Petersburg there is a statue of a siskin, as its colours are the same as the uniform worn by the students at an elite school in the city. These students have come to be known by the sobriquet siskin, Russian: Чиж. This term was popularised in the Russian song "Chizhik-Pyzhik". [39] There has been a statue of a siskin on the embankment by the First Engineer Bridge since 1994, though it has been stolen and replaced multiple times.

There is a Czech folk song/dance/game "Čížečku, čížečku", in which the siskin is the source of the lore on what happens with the poppy.

Elif Shafak, in the novel Three Daughters of Eve, mentioned a siskin in a pivotal scene in which the heroine, Peri, meets the charismatic and controversial Professor Azur. When Peri entered Professor Azur's office, she found a siskin with yellow-green feathers and a forked tail trapped amid the shelves and stacks of books.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Finch</span> Family of birds

The true finches are small to medium-sized passerine birds in the family Fringillidae. Finches generally have stout conical bills adapted for eating seeds and nuts and often have colourful plumage. They occupy a great range of habitats where they are usually resident and do not migrate. They have a worldwide native distribution except for Australia and the polar regions. The family Fringillidae contains more than two hundred species divided into fifty genera. It includes the canaries, siskins, redpolls, serins, grosbeaks and euphonias, as well as the morphologically divergent Hawaiian honeycreepers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American goldfinch</span> Species of bird

The American goldfinch is a small North American bird in the finch family. It is migratory, ranging from mid-Alberta to North Carolina during the breeding season, and from just south of the Canada–United States border to Mexico during the winter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pine siskin</span> Species of bird

The pine siskin is a North American bird in the finch family. It is a migratory bird with an extremely sporadic winter range.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Citril finch</span> Species of bird

The citril finch, also known as the Alpine citril finch, is a small songbird, a member of the true finch family, Fringillidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red siskin</span> Species of bird

The red siskin is a small endangered finch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lesser goldfinch</span> Species of bird

The lesser goldfinch is a small finch in the genus Spinus native to the Americas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lawrence's goldfinch</span> Species of bird

Lawrence's goldfinch is a small songbird of erratic distribution that breeds in California and Baja California and winters in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellow-bellied siskin</span> Species of bird

The yellow-bellied siskin is a small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae. It breeds from Costa Rica south to southern Ecuador, central Bolivia and the highlands of northwestern Venezuela. According to phylogenetic studies Spinus notatus is its parental ancestor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Russet sparrow</span> Small passerine bird found in Asia

The russet sparrow, also called the cinnamon or cinnamon tree sparrow, is a passerine bird of the sparrow family Passeridae. A chunky little seed-eating bird with a thick bill, it has a body length of 14 to 15 cm (5.5–5.9 in). Its plumage is mainly warm rufous above and grey below. It exhibits sexual dimorphism, with the plumage of both sexes patterned similarly to that of the corresponding sex of house sparrow. Its vocalisations are sweet and musical chirps, which when strung together form a song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British finches</span>

The British finches are made up of several species of finch which were formerly very popular as cage birds in Great Britain. They are not currently commonplace, but are still kept by a few dedicated fanciers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carduelinae</span> Subfamily of birds

The cardueline finches are a subfamily, Carduelinae, one of three subfamilies of the finch family Fringillidae, the others being the Fringillinae and the Euphoniinae. The Hawaiian honeycreepers are now included in this subfamily. Except for the Hawaiian honeycreepers which underwent adaptive radiation in Hawaii and have evolved a broad range of diets, cardueline finches are specialised seed eaters, and unlike most passerine birds, they feed their young mostly on seeds, which are regurgitated. Besides this, they differ from the other finches in some minor details of their skull. They are adept at opening seeds and clinging to stems, unlike other granivorous birds, such as sparrows and buntings, which feed mostly on fallen seeds. Some members of this subfamily are further specialised to feed on a particular type of seed, such as cones in the case of crossbills. Carduelines forage in flocks throughout the year, rather than keeping territories, and males defend their females rather than a territory or nest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hooded siskin</span> Species of bird

The hooded siskin is a small passerine bird in the finch family (Fringillidae), native to South America. It belongs to the putative clade of neotropical siskins in the genus Spinus sensu lato.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black siskin</span> Species of bird

The black siskin is a species of finch in the family Fringillidae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland and subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland. According to some phylogenetic studies, Spinus notata is its parental ancestor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olivaceous siskin</span> Species of bird

The olivaceous siskin is a species of finch in the family Fringillidae. It is found in Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru, where its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forests and heavily degraded former forest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saffron siskin</span> Species of bird

The saffron siskin is a species of finch in the family Fringillidae. It is found in Ecuador and Peru. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, and urban areas. It is threatened by habitat destruction and the IUCN has assessed it as being a "least concern species".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellow-breasted greenfinch</span> Species of bird

The yellow-breasted greenfinch is a small passerine bird in the family Fringillidae that is native to the northern regions of the Indian subcontinent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellow-faced siskin</span> Species of bird

The yellow-faced siskin is a species of finch in the family Fringillidae. It is found in Brazil and Venezuela.

<i>Spinus</i> (bird) Genus of birds

Spinus is a genus of passerine birds in the finch family. It contains the North and South American siskins and goldfinches, as well as two Old World species.

References

  1. 1 2 BirdLife International (2017). "Spinus spinus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2017: e.T22720354A111126041. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T22720354A111126041.en . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ↑ "Eurasian Siskin (Carduelis spinus) (Linnaeus, 1758)". Avibase. 30 September 2009.
  3. ↑ Lockwood, W. B. (1993). The Oxford Dictionary of British Bird Names. Oxford University Press. ISBN   0-19-866196-7.
  4. ↑ "Carduelis spinus". Fauna Europaea. Retrieved 10 October 2008.
  5. ↑ Jobling, James A. (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London, United Kingdom: Christopher Helm. p. 362. ISBN   978-1-4081-2501-4.
  6. ↑ "Siskin" . Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press.(Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
  7. ↑ Newton, Ian (2003). The Speciation and Biogeography of Birds. London, UK: Academic Press. p. 505. ISBN   0-12-517375-X.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Carduelis spinus" (in Spanish). Terra.es. Archived from the original on 24 January 2008. Retrieved 23 October 2008. This reference is based on theories expounded in Payevsky, V. A. (1994). "Age and sex structure, mortality and spatial winter distribution of siskins (Carduelis spinus) migrating through eastern Baltic area". Vogelwarte. 37: 190–198.
  9. ↑ Singleton, David G. (11 May 2022). "The alder siskin (Spinus spinus), a bird often found in bands". NATUEND Lifestyle Magazine. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Mullarney, K.; Svensson, L.; Zetterström, D.; Grant, P. J. (2003). Guía de Campo de las Aves de España y de Europa (in Spanish). Editorial Omega. ISBN   84-282-1218-X.
  11. 1 2 "Eurasian Siskin Carduelis spinus". Madeira Birdwatching. 12 October 2009. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  12. 1 2 3 4 "Eurasian Siskin (Carduelis spinus)". Stamps of Israeli Birds. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 13 October 2008.
  13. 1 2 3 4 Schauenberg, P.; et al. (1979). Fichero Safari Club (Lúgano). Madrid: S.A.P.E. ISBN   84-7461-167-9.
  14. 1 2 3 4 Hume, Rob (2002). Guía de Campo de las Aves de España y de Europa (in Spanish). Editorial Omega. ISBN   84-282-1317-8.
  15. 1 2 Senar, J. C.; Camerino, L.; Copete, J. L.; Metcalfe N. B. (1993). "Variation in black bib of the Eurasian siskin (Carduelis spinus) and its role as reliable badge of dominance" (PDF). The Auk. 110 (4): 924–927. doi:10.2307/4088649. JSTOR   4088649.
  16. 1 2 3 Clement, P (1999). Finches and Sparrows. Princeton University Press. p. 221. ISBN   9780691048789.
  17. 1 2 Senar, J.C.; Borrás, A. "Lúgano en el Atlas de las Aves Reproductoras de España" (PDF) (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 October 2008.
  18. ↑ China's Species Information Service. "Carduelis spinus". Archived from the original on 15 May 2006. Retrieved 23 October 2008.
  19. ↑ Borror, A.C. (1963). "Eurasian siskin (Carduelis spinus) in Maine" (PDF). The Auk. 80 (2): 109. doi:10.2307/4082569. JSTOR   4082569 . Retrieved 20 October 2008.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "Lúgano" (in Spanish). Pajaricos.es. Retrieved 12 October 2008.
  21. ↑ Copete, J.L. (1990). "Observación de un dormidero de Lúganos (Carduelis spinus)". Butlletí del Grup Català d'Anellament (in Spanish). 7.
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Tarin des aulnes" (in French). Oiseaux.net. Retrieved 12 October 2008.
  23. ↑ "Lúgano" (in Spanish). Pajaricos.es. Archived from the original on 12 December 2007. Retrieved 12 October 2008.
  24. ↑ Senar, J.C.; Borrás, A. (2004). "Sobevivir al invierno: estrategias de las aves invernantes en la Península Ibérica" (PDF). Ardeola. 51 (1): 133–168. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 September 2006. Retrieved 20 October 2008.
  25. 1 2 Senar, J.C. (April–June 1984). "Allofeeding in Eurasian siskin (Carduelis spinus)" (PDF). Condor. 86 (2). The Cooper Ornithological Society: 213–214. doi:10.2307/1367046. JSTOR   1367046.
  26. ↑ Senar, J.C.; Copete, J.L. (1990). "Observación de alimentación de cortejo en Lúganos (Carduelis spinus) invernantes". Butlletí del Grup Català d'Anellament. 7. Archived from the original on 1 October 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2010.
  27. ↑ Newton, I. (1973). Finches. London: Taplinger Publishing. ISBN   0-8008-2720-1.
  28. ↑ "Eurasian Siskins". Beauty of Birds. 16 September 2021. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  29. 1 2 3 4 "Lúgano-Aves" (in Spanish). Rednaturaleza.com. Archived from the original on 12 February 2007. Retrieved 13 October 2008.
  30. ↑ BirdLife International. "Species factsheet: Carduelis spinus". Archived from the original on 25 September 2019. Retrieved 12 October 2008.
  31. ↑ Tucker, G. M.; Heath, M. F. (1994). Birds in Europe: their conservation status. BirdLife Conservation Series 3. Cambridge: BirdLife International. ISBN   0-946888-29-9.
  32. ↑ Cramp, S.; Perrins, C. M. (1994). Handbook of the Birds of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. The Birds of the Western Palearctic. Vol. IX. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN   0-19-857506-8.
  33. ↑ "Boletín Oficial del Estado (España): Ratificación del Convenio de Berna" (PDF) (in Spanish). 1 October 1986. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  34. ↑ Global Biodiversity Information Facility. "Carduelis spinus × Serinus canaria" . Retrieved 13 October 2008.
  35. ↑ "Hibridaciones de Carduelis spinus". Archived from the original on 6 November 2007. Retrieved 23 October 2008.
  36. ↑ McCarthy, Eugene M. (2006). Handbook of Avian Hybrids of the World. Oxford University Press. ISBN   978-0-19-518323-8.
  37. ↑ Galarza, A. (1989). Urdaibai, avifauna de la ría de Gernika. Diputación Foral de Bizkaia. ISBN   84-404-5084-2.
  38. ↑ "Eurasian Siskin". Bird Stamps. Archived from the original on 25 October 2000. Retrieved 27 November 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  39. ↑ "Chizhik-Pyzhik". Saint-Petersburg.com. Retrieved 13 October 2008.
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