Pine Siskin on top of sagebrush – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Yesterday I mentioned that a Pine Siskin chased away the Chipping Sparrow that I shared photos of. This is that Pine Siskin perched on another sage.
Pine Siskins are members of the finch family of birds and they are an extremely nomadic, highly irruptive species. Typically I hear their wheezy twitters before I spot them. This particular siskin wasn’t calling while I photographed it.
Pine Siskin foraging in sage – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The streakiness of siskins combined with their slender pointed bills and yellow wing markings make them an easy species for me to identify in the field. Their calls are distinctive enough that I can also identify them by ear without seeing them at all.
Pine Siskin perched in sagebrush – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
This Pine Siskin was foraging for food in the sagebrush. I don’t know for sure if the siskin was looking for seeds to eat or if it was trying to find insects. They eat both.
Adult Pine Siskin in sage – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
As the adult Pine Siskin moved around I was happy to get great views of it in the spring leaves of the sage. Prior to photographing this siskin I haven’t photographed them much in sagebrush.
Adult Pine Siskin in spring sagebrush – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Just after this last image of the siskin was taken it took flight and called as it left the area. I don’t know if siskins fly without calling because whenever I see them in flight I hear them too.
Earlier on the same morning while I was taking a series of long distance images of other Pine Siskins perching in willows they all became very quiet suddenly. I glanced around to see if a predator was in the area and spotted an immature Northern Goshawk heading for some firs nearby. It moved so quickly that I wasn’t able to focus on it before it disappeared into the forest. Goshawks remain a nemesis bird for me.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Pine Siskin photos plus facts and information about this species.
Wonderful group of Pine Siskin pics with excellent eye contact. I would imagine capturing these Siskin images in such heavy sage must have been a bit challenging. Thanks Mia.
Very nice! The bird has a dirty face, so finch in my experience.
I never see one of these little guys at a time…great series…🌻
Great captures.
I am thinking that while goshawks are a nemesis bird for you – they are MUCH more a nemesis for the siskins and rather a lot of other birds.