Andean siskin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Andean siskin |
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Sporagra spinescens |
The Andean siskin (Spinus spinescens) is a small, colorful bird. It belongs to the finch family, which includes many types of seed-eating birds. You can find this bird living in the mountains of Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela. It likes to live in places like moist mountain forests, high-altitude shrublands, and grasslands.
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About the Andean Siskin
The Andean siskin is a tiny bird, known for its bright green and yellow feathers. It is one of the smallest finches, usually measuring about 9.5 to 11 centimeters (around 4 inches) long. It might weigh about 11.5 grams, which is very light!
What Does it Look Like?
This bird has deep green feathers on its back. Its wings and tail have black and yellow markings.
- Males: Adult male Andean siskins have a special black cap on their heads.
- Females: Females do not have this black cap. They are usually a duller olive-green color. Their belly and the feathers under their tail are white.
Female Andean siskins look a bit different from other similar finches. They are paler and brighter than female yellow-bellied siskins. They also lack the olive throat and yellow undertail feathers that yellow-bellied siskins have. Hooded siskins are also similar, but the Andean siskin has clear white undertail feathers and more olive-green colors instead of gray.
Different Types of Andean Siskins
There are a few types, or subspecies, of the Andean siskin. One subspecies, called S. s. nigricauda, is generally a duller or darker green on its upper parts. Its underside is dull green with no yellow. This subspecies has an all-black tail. Its wings also lack the greenish-yellow tips that the main type has, but they still have bright yellow at the base of some inner feathers.
What Does it Sound Like?
The Andean siskin makes a sound like a typical goldfinch. It often calls out a "tswee" sound, especially when flying. Its song is also like a goldfinch's. It's a lively and rambling series of high-pitched notes, mixed with rolling trills.
Where They Live
The Andean siskin lives in the mountains of northern South America.
- The main type of Andean siskin is found in the coastal mountains of Aragua in northern Venezuela. It also lives in the Andes mountains of western Venezuela.
- You can find them along the Colombia-Venezuela border in the Serranía del Perijá.
- They also live in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in northern Colombia.
- Their range extends south from the eastern Andes in Colombia all the way to parts of Ecuador, including Valle, Putumayo, Nariño, and Pichincha Province.
- The S. s. nigricauda subspecies lives in the northern, central, and western Andes of Colombia. This includes areas from Antioquia south to Caldas and possibly northern Tolima.
Their Home and Habits
The Andean siskin is a common bird in many areas. It lives in the subtropical and high-mountain zones of the northern Andes.
Where They Hang Out
These birds are usually found at elevations between 1,800 and 3,700 meters (about 5,900 to 12,100 feet) above sea level. Sometimes, in Colombia, they can be seen as low as 1,500 meters (about 4,900 feet). They prefer to live in scrub or low bushes. You can find them in open cloud forests, or along the edges of forests. They might also be seen on open hillsides with scattered trees or bushes. Sometimes, they even visit the edges of farm areas.
How They Live Together
Andean siskins are usually seen in pairs or small groups of up to 20 birds. Sometimes, they mix with other types of finches, like the hooded siskin, especially in northern Ecuador. They often perch high up in the tops of trees. However, they usually find their food on or near the ground.
What They Eat
This bird eats a variety of plant seeds. They especially love the seeds and flowers of a plant called Espeletia, which grows in the high mountains.
