Western Bird Guide: Birds of the Rockies and West to the Pacific

by Charles K. Reed

PINE SISKIN.

533. Spinus pinus. 5 inches.

These are a more northern bird, breeding mostly to the Canadian zone, and in the Rockies and higher mountains to the west. They feed largely upon weed seeds and seeds from the different coniferous trees, the latter of which they most often frequent, building their nests in these trees of twigs and rootlets loosely put together and placed on the crotch of a horizontal limb; usually four eggs, of a greenish white color, spotted finely with reddish brown (.65 × .45). They have a habit, while feeding, of clinging to the under side of a branch or cone, similar to the [Chickadee], and, if disturbed when on some favorite tree, will make a short flight and circle back to the same tree.