5 things you might not know about the siskin

2 min read
Siskin, a small green and yellow finch visiting a garden feeder

The siskin is a small, streaky green and yellow finch that arrives in many gardens just when winter bites. Here are five things about it that you might not know.

1. They hang upside down like tits

Siskins are small, 11 to 12.5 centimetres long and 12 to 18 grams, but they feed acrobatically, often hanging upside down. They concentrate on seeds 2 to 3 millimetres long, and alder is their most important food.

2. They turn up in huge numbers every few years

Every few years siskins migrate south in much larger numbers than usual, which swells winter numbers as far away as the Iberian Peninsula. The reasons are not known, and theories include a good crop of spruce seed, or a failure of alder or birch seed.

3. Subordinates feed their bosses

Siskin flocks have a pecking order, and a male's black bib is a badge of rank: the bigger it is, the more dominant he tends to be. Siskins are also one of very few species in which lower-ranking birds of the same sex regurgitate food for higher-ranking ones, a behaviour called allofeeding. It is thought to bind the flock together, and it shows how strictly the flock is ranked. Studies of captive flocks suggest dominant birds do better when the flock stays stable, which gives them a reason to keep the peace.

4. Wild siskins live a quarter as long

In captivity siskins live for 11 to 14 years, while in the wild the estimate is just two or three. Pairs often nest close together, with up to six pairs in a colony, and chicks leave the nest at only 15 days old.

5. There is a siskin statue in Saint Petersburg

A statue of a siskin has stood by the First Engineer Bridge in Saint Petersburg since 1994, and it has been stolen and replaced more than once. Students at a famous school there, whose uniform matches the bird's colours, are nicknamed siskins. The global siskin population is estimated at 20 to 36 million birds.

A little siskin folklore

A German legend says that siskins hide a magic stone in their nests that makes the bird invisible.

The English name was first recorded in 1544 by William Turner, and it is thought to come from the bird's call.

What siskins like to eat, and where

Siskins visit gardens in winter and are happy to feed at hanging feeders. Offer our seasonal bird food in a Little Lantern seed feeder, and look out for streaky green and yellow birds hanging upside down. If you have room, plant alder or birch, which are favourites. If you are not sure which feeder suits your garden, our feeding quiz will point you in the right direction.

Want to keep track of the siskins in your garden? Amidst the Birdsong: A Garden Birdwatcher's Journal is made for exactly that.

Want to read about more garden birds? See all the birds in this series.

While you're here

Because there's always something worth knowing about the birds in your garden.
Clare Cahill

Thank you for reading!

Clare Cahill is a bird enthusiast with a passion for observing and learning. While she definitely doesn’t have a formal degree in ornithology, Clare has dedicated hours to reading birding books and exploring nature, constantly expanding her knowledge and deepening her love for wildlife.

For Clare, birdwatching brings a sense of calm and connection to the world, offering a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. She believes that the more we connect with nature, the more we can do to protect and conserve it. Through her writing, Clare hopes to inspire others to take a moment to pause, look up, and appreciate the calm and connection that comes from letting a little wildness into our everyday lives.

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    With birds in your garden, you’re never alone - they’re the friends who always visit. Feeding them supports wildlife conservation while bringing joy and calm. Whether spotting a new species or simply watching their daily routines, just ten minutes a day strengthens your connection with nature and boosts your wellbeing.

When life feels busy, the birds keep it simple.

There’s something lovely about how feeding the birds becomes part of the rhythm of your day. A scoop of seed, a clean dish of water - and then a pause, just to watch who turns up. It doesn’t have to take long, but those moments can be surprisingly grounding. A little burst of mindfulness, fresh air, a chance to notice your garden as it changes throughout the seasons, and the cheerful flutter of wings - it’s good for the soul.

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