Bird guide · Spinus spinus
Siskin
What the siskin eats, where it lives, when it comes to feeders and how to recognise it – with sightings from across the UK.
- Season
- Partial migrant
- Size
- 4.7 in (12 cm)
- Eats
- nyjer, sunflower hearts, peanuts
- Feeds
- tube
- Most common
- Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
Food
What do siskins eat?
At feeders, siskins take nyjer, sunflower hearts, peanuts.
Feeds on hanging feeders when tree seeds run out.
Feeder that suits it
A tube or hopper feeder with sunflower seed or sunflower hearts.
Range
Where do siskins live?
Breeds from southern England to northern Scotland; more widespread in winter. By share of all bird sightings, siskins are most common in Scotland (0.6%).
Nations where siskins are most common
- Scotland0.6%
- Wales0.5%
- Northern Ireland0.4%
- England0.3%
Share of all bird sightings in each nation that are siskins, 2019–2024.
Season
Does the siskin migrate?
Partial migrant. Across the UK it is reported in every month; its share of bird sightings is highest in March.
Share of all bird sightings in the UK that are siskins, by month.
Identification
How to identify the siskin
Male: Streaky yellow-green with a black crown and bib and yellow wing and tail patches.
Female: Duller, without the black crown.
Size: 4.7 in (12 cm)
On camera
Getting the siskin on a feeder camera
Any seed camera feeder works. Hang it near shrubs for cover, about five feet off the ground, with the lens facing away from direct sun.
Questions
Siskin: questions
What do siskins eat?
At feeders, nyjer, sunflower hearts, peanuts.
Do siskins migrate?
Partial migrant. Across the UK it is reported in every month; its share of bird sightings is highest in March.
Where do siskins live?
By share of all bird sightings, they are most common in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, England.
What does a female siskin look like?
Duller, without the black crown.