Attracting Backyard Birds: Pine Siskins

Pine Siskins are small, nomadic finches that range erratically across North America in winter in response to variable food sources. When they aren't hanging upside down on the tips of conifers, Pine Siskins will flock to bird feeders. Let's find out what to offer them.

Food Types: Pine Siskins prefer needle-like nyjer seeds (often called "thistle"). These tiny, black seeds are the perfect size for their sharp, pointy bills. Millet is a small, round grain that attracts Pine Siskins, but be aware you may also attract House Sparrows and blackbirds that live in your area. Pine Siskins have a hard time cracking through thick shells with their thin beaks. Offer hulled sunflower seeds removes this barrier.

Feeder Types: Nyjer feeders may be designed as tubes with small feeding ports or as mesh feeders that small birds like siskins cling to while foraging. Hoppers are designed to protect seed from weather. Smaller feeders prioritize smaller species and prevent large birds from taking over. Small tube feeder offer small feeding ports with short perches that will accommodate Pine Siskins. A feeder with multiple ports offers more access.

Landscaping Tips: In addition to conifer seeds, Pine Siskins also eat seeds of alder and birch, as well as plants with hearty seed heads like coneflower.

Food and feeder illustrations by Justine Lee Hirten and Jillian Ditner.

#birdcams #cornell #pinesiskin #birdfeeding #birdfeeder #birdwatching #birding #birds

[beastslayer]

I've fed pine siskins for years. Same tree has two feeders, one with nyjer, the other with hulled sunflower. They'll eat both, but they prefer the hulled sunflower seeds.

[Teabonesteak]

I hear the siskins are having a tough time in the bay area of SF. Remember to keep your feed clean guys.

[fareebug]

I just love these videos. Thank you for your channel. 💕💗💕

[vivian]

Sabes me gusta que nos expliquen en donde evitan esta aves y cuales son sus viajes de emigración. También me resulta muy interesante he instructivo; que nos comenten de el tipo de alimentación que pueden recibir y sus geniales casitas par atraer su atencion. Genial este método educativo universal👌😉👍🤗🤩🌈🌼

[elizabethhenning]

I thought we were supposed to avoid feeding siskins right now because they're spreading salmonella.

[MyBadCatsagain]

I don't think anyone should be trying to attract pine siskens to their yards and feeders as they are notorious salmonella carriers. Every year when they appear I always find sick or dead birds in my yard and if they are around too long, invariably other birds, especially towhees and juncos also get sick and die.