March 2022 Bird of the Month- Pine Siskin

Our Bird of the month is the Pine Siskin (Spinus minus). Pine Siskins are a member of the finch family, although their brown coloring makes them appear like a sparrow. The key way to identify Pine Siskins is by their call, a hoarse buzz, which many people say sounds like a "zipper zipping up".

Pine Siskins are widespread throughout the US and Canada, though local populations may fluctuate with seasonal migrations. 

Pine Siskins have a varied diet, including fruits, seeds and insects. If you have a bird feeder in your backyard, there is a high chance some Pine Siskins may stop by to eat. They also forage amongst the bushes and are often seen or heard this month along the trails in Oxbow Nature Study Area.

To learn more about Pine Siskins and to hear a recording of their call, please visit the Audubon Field Guide below:

Pine Siskins on Audubon.org

The photos above are courtesy of Jeff Bleam. To see more of Jeff's work, please visit his website: byjcbphoto.com