Birds of Ireland: Siskin

Siskins can be seen here all year round and are a common breeding species. Their habitat is farmland, gardens, and woodland.
Birds of Ireland: Siskin

Siskin. Picture: John Harding/BTO/PA Wire

  • Siskin (Píobaire / Carduelis spinus) 
  • 11-12 cm in length with a wingspan of 21-22cm

Siskins can be seen here all year round and are a common breeding species. Their habitat is farmland, gardens, and woodland.

Siskins are smaller than a robin. They have a pale, dark-tipped, pointed beak; and reddish-brown legs.

The males have a black cap/throat with a dark olive-green head; and a pale yellow stripe extending from their eyes back to their nape down around their ear coverts. 

Their wings are black with two bright yellow wing bards and with pale edges to secondaries. 

They have a faintly dark-streaked olive-green back, yellow rump, and a notched tail with yellow patches at the base of their outer feathers. 

Siskins.
Siskins.

They have a green-yellow breast/upper belly and their lower belly and undertail coverts are white with dark streaking.

The females have no black cap or chin and are less yellow with a heavily streaked back.

The juvenile/ immature birds are paler and more streaked than the females.

In flight siskins look yellow/black and fly in a fast, undulating manner.

Their voice includes a variable twitter, very thin tee-oou, buzzing wheeze and a high, bouncing, chattering trill.

Tip of the Week: 

Apart from this guide, the most important book you will need when birdwatching is your notebook. 

This is used to write down what, where, and when you have seen and heard, and anything you feel is important to keep as a record.

It should also be used to take descriptions of birds you cannot readily identify.

Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide by Jim Wilson, with photographs by Mark Carmody
Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide by Jim Wilson, with photographs by Mark Carmody

  • Featured in Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide, (Gill Books) by Jim Wilson, with photographs by Mark Carmody. 
  • Jim Wilson is a wildlife writer, broadcaster, tour leader, and former chairman of BirdWatch Ireland. He has been involved in the study and conservation of birds in Ireland for more than 45 years, contributing to several major surveys and international projects.
  • Mark Carmody is an award-winning wildlife photographer, has a PhD in biochemistry and works as a European patent attorney.

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