| İMARY ALICE BOWLES 9/24/04 |
| Pine Siskin Carduelis pinus |
4 1/2-5" (11-13 cm). A dark, streaked finch with notched tail and small patches of yellow in wings and tail. Usually seen in flocks, which have a distinctive flight pattern: the birds alternately bunch up and then disperse in undulating flight. They live in Coniferous and mixed woodlands, alder thickets, and brushy pastures. Nesting 3 or 4 pale green eggs, lightly speckled with dark brown and black, in a shallow saucer of bark, twigs, and moss lined with plant down and feathers and placed in a conifer. Range Breeds from southern Alaska, Mackenzie, Quebec, and Newfoundland south to California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Great Lakes region, and northern New England. I n winter wanders southward throughout United States. Their voice sounds like bzzzzzt. Song like a hoarse goldfinch I had never seen a pine siskin because, like I said I'm a young birder and I just had not had time to find one. I was just sitting there in my back yard watching all the familiar birds I knew come in to eat and all of a sudden this striped little bird came in and put on a show for me untill I had to go in and get ready for church! He did everything except talk to me and I sure did talk to him! Needless to say, I am eagerally awaiting spring to see if they come back and have children! I thank you Father God for all the beautiful gifts you send to my wonderful back yard! |
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| image by MARY ALICE BOWLES 2004 |
| image by MARY ALICE BOWLES 2004 |
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