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Monday, May 27, 2013
The Pine Siskin, a member of the finch family, is closely related to the Redpoll and the American Goldfinches. It is normal to see siskins in mid-Michigan from October until the end of May.
They are an irruptive species that can be common in mid-Michigan some winters and scarce in others. We had a lot of siskins come down south this winter because the seed crop was so bad in Canada last year. So it's not unusual to see the siskins this time of year, but the numbers are definitely up.
They eat mainly seeds, young buds, and some insects. In a part of their esophagus called the crop, the Pine Siskins can store up to 10% of their body weight in seeds that they will digest overnight, providing extra energy to survive in very cold temperatures.
They also can protect their young from cold with nests insulated heavily with thick plant materials. During the breeding season, females incubate their eggs and hatchlings continuously, while being fed by their male mate. Pine Siskins breed mostly in coniferous forests of the upper part of Michigan, Canada and at higher elevations further south.
I will miss their loud and cheerful "zzziip" song when they leave. (The word "Siskin" is of Scandinavian origin and means "chirper".)
pine-siskin call:
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