Pine siskins - a North American bird.

Center:  Pine siskin photographed in Esquimalt, BC.  Insets - Photographed in Maple Ridge, 2019.

I recently noticed a group of siskins taking seed from a feeder while visiting friends in Esquimalt.  I hadn't seen pine siskins for about six years.  They used to be a common occurrence when we lived in Maple Ridge, but since moving to Kelowna, they have been absent.  The difference has been not having a bird feeder established.

They live across North America (to look at the range map, click here), yet the only time I see them is if a bird feeder is available on a regular basis.  They seem to like to forage in a place where a regular food supply exists.  Fill one up once in a while and you are not likely to see them, but have a continuous supply of seed and they will show up.

The reason they are called "pine" siskins is because of their preference for the seeds of coniferous trees such as pine and spruce.  The birds often forage at the top of trees where the cones form.  They will also take seeds from deciduous trees and feed on leaf buds in the early spring.  

It was nice seeing them again.  Perhaps I will see them in my area soon - I hope to get my feeders going again in the fall.

Thanks for reading.

Eric Svendsen     www.ericspix.com

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