Spinus spinescens
The Andean Siskin, *Spinus spinescens*, is a vibrant and characteristic small finch of the high Andes, typically measuring 10-12 cm (4-4.7 inches) in length. Males are instantly recognizable by their brilliant yellow underparts, a striking black cap extending to the nape, black wings adorned with two prominent yellow wing-bars, and a black tail with yellow at the base of the outer feathers. Females, in contrast, exhibit a more subdued olive-greenish plumage above and dull yellowish-green belo...
High-elevation Andean shrublands, grasslands, open woodlands, and paramo edges, often near agricultural areas and human settlements, typically between 2,000-4,000 meters (6,500-13,000 feet).
Primarily granivorous, consuming small seeds from thistles, composites, grasses, and shrubs. Supplements its diet with small insects and nectar.
Andean Siskins are diurnal, spending their days actively foraging and often roosting communally in dense vegetation at night. They frequently feed in small to large flocks, demonstrating impressive acrobatic skills as they cling to seed heads to extract their diet. During the breeding season, mal...
The Andean Siskin is endemic to the Andes Mountains, with its extensive range stretching from extreme western Venezuela (specifically Táchira, Mérida, and Trujillo states) southward through the central and western cordilleras of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and into northern Bolivia. This species is ...
Least Concern
- The Andean Siskin is often observed clinging upside down to thistle heads, showcasing remarkable agility to extract seeds. - The male's vivid yellow plumage is derived from carotenoid pigments absorbed from their diet. - Nests are sometimes adorned with fragments of colorful flowers, possibly f...