Birdsong field guide
Andean Siskin
Spinus spinescens
A small, lively finch of the northern Andean highlands, the Andean Siskin is characterized by the male's contrasting black cap and bright yellow wing bars. It is a common social granivore frequently seen in high-altitude scrub and open landscapes.
What it sounds like
A complex, rapid series of high-pitched twitters and trills, punctuated by wheezy, buzzy 'zeee' notes.
Reference call, compare with what you heard
0:00 / 2:18
Field notes
- Males possess a distinct black crown and nape, a feature entirely absent in the more olive-toned and streaked females.
- They are highly social birds, typically seen foraging in small, active flocks that may occasionally join mixed-species groups.
- Their diet is primarily granivorous, favoring the seeds of Asteraceae plants and high-altitude trees such as the Andean Alder.
- This species is a high-altitude specialist, commonly occurring at elevations ranging from 1,800 to 4,000 meters above sea level.
- Andean Siskins are well-adapted to human-altered environments, often appearing in suburban gardens, pastures, and plantations.
Habitat
Paramo edges, high-altitude scrubland, open forest borders, and cultivated gardens.
Range
Northern Andes of Colombia, western Venezuela, and northern Ecuador.
Similar & commonly confused birds
Heard a Andean Siskin?
Open Birdsong, tap record, and identify the bird singing near you in seconds — then collect it in your field journal.
Identify a bird by its song