March 21, 2009 - Even though we have few pine siskins now, they are still exhibiting pushy behavior at the feeders. With so much food available and less competition for it, I'm surprised at the energy wasted. When breeding time and territorial challenges arise, it would be amazing if more than one pine siskin is left flying. It's been said that when so many winter this far south, some of them actually stay to have their families in this area. It would be interesting to see that.

January 9, 2009 - Our half a dozen visitors must have put out the word about our well-stocked feeders. Now we have dozens of pine siskins. Winter population size varies each year. As the quantity of birds increases at the feeders so does the crankiness and pushing and shoving.

During some winters in upstate New York we see no or very few pine siskins. Migration into our area, in other years, occur when buds and seeds of birches, alders, pines, and sweet gums are inadequate in their summer homes in Canada. Erratic irruptions cause this wide range of pine siskin populations.

Often after a winter of large numbers of these migratory birds, breeding may occur in areas further south than normal. Maybe we will get to see baby pine siskins this spring. Sure hope the Nyjer seed supply increases in the stores.

January 2, 2009 - A small flock of different birds came in with the snow and ice. Recently, we had only seen this bird during his single trips to the nyjer feeders. Now we have many more pine siskins at a time. Sometimes they mingle with the house finches and the goldfinches, on the wire feeder, but they seem to prefer to meet and hang out with their own kind. They usually leave the net sack feeders to the finches. No one seems unhappy with these arrangements, in fact, the goldfinches are more likely to scuffle for position with other goldfinches than with house finches or pine siskins.

November 28, 2008 - I read an article recently that said that pine siskins often go unnoticed at bird feeders. They tend to feed with house and purple finches (and in my yard, lots of goldfinches). A quick, passing glance at a group of finches chomping away at sunflower seeds or on nyjer sacks may not be enough to distinguish these quiet, unassuming birds.

They resemble female finches, all having varying amounts of brown streaking (pine siskins have more streaks than the others). Beaks are thin and sharp and definitely not finch-like. Tails are deeply notched. The birds, themselves are slightly smaller and more delicate looking than finches. But the best indicator is the section of yellow feathers on the wings.

Often pine siskins visit in small groups, as they did last spring, but a single bird may also be seen. This was the case, as we watched yesterday.  They tend to wander around and travel especially to nyjer feeders.  We have lots of those and hope to see them (or at least one of them) again soon.