BeePeeking
  • Blog
  • Portfolio
  • About
  • Biodiversity
  • Biophilia
  • Go Organic
  • Resources
  • Vision

Pine Siskin Irruption

1/24/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
©Kathleen Bartels/GBBC
Picture
©David Smith
Over the weekend we experienced not only record-breaking warmth (64 F. in Seattle), but also a steady stream of pine siskins in flocks of 20-60 birds! The top photo shows a segment of our Katsura tree, which was decorated with this many birds throughout. They arrived each morning to crunch seeds for about 20 minutes, then move on to another tree. Wild seed party!

We usually see one or two pine siskins throughout the winter, flying in a mixed flock with the junkos and chickadees. They are fond of suet, and a tell-tale ID is that the pine siskin won't land on the suet, but instead flutters in front of it and pecks. Pine Siskins look a lot like the female finches that they fly with and they also look deceptively like a song sparrow-from the front. The best way to ID a pine siskin is to note the  yellow patches on the tail and the wings. They also have a really pointy bill (compared to the finch wives).

What is causing the irruption of pine siskins?  Audubon states that the irruption is a 2-year cycle, and is most likely driven by a shortages of seeds in spruces, pines, birch, and alder in the Canada and western US states.



0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    RSS Feed

    Author

    Tracey Byrne~

    I taught K-12 students from north of the Arctic Circle to the Puget Sound Ecoregion, garnering  40 years of experience as a classroom teacher, learning mentor, and private tutor. 

    I spent most of the 1980s and 90s in Alaska flying airplanes, floating wild rivers, winter camping, teaching, parenting, and living off the grid. 

    Here in Seattle, I am an advocate for environmental stewardship, place-based education, and outdoor play. I share my enthusiasm for birds, bugs, and backyards and have been a featured writer and photographer for Pacific Horticulture. 
    ​

    All photographs © T. Byrne unless otherwise noted.

    Picture
    Professional Reader

    Categories

    All
    Adventuring
    Amphibians
    Artists
    Beekeeping
    Biophilia
    Birds
    Bumblebees
    Citizen Science
    Cool Bugs
    Environmental Issues
    Flow Hive
    Fungi
    Gardening
    GMO
    Good Reads
    Guest Post
    Honeybee
    Infographic
    Organics
    Pesticides
    Pollinator
    Sky Matters
    Why
    Youtube Videos


    Archives

    December 2022
    October 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    September 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    August 2013