Yellow-bellied Siskin

The Yellow-bellied Siskin, Spinus xanthogastrus, presents a striking contrast in plumage. The male is cloaked in a glossy black, save for his vivid yellow belly, tail sides, and wing patches. The female, more demure, sports a dark olive green above with paler yellow underparts, which brighten to a more intense hue on her belly. Her wings and tail are a dusky black, yet she too flaunts bright yellow primary wing patches and tail sides. The juveniles take after the female but are marked by dusky fringes on their upperpart feathers and more modest yellow on their wing and tail patches.

Identification Tips

To identify this species, look for the male's distinctive black and yellow coloring and the female's olive and yellow plumage. The subspecies S. x. stejnegeri is notable for its larger size, longer bill, and in males, more expansive yellow wing patches and additional black on the flanks. Females of this subspecies are a darker olive above compared to their northern counterparts.

Habitat

The Yellow-bellied Siskin favors mountain oak forests, thriving at elevations ranging from 800 to 3,000 meters.

Distribution

This bird's breeding range extends from Costa Rica through to southern Ecuador, central Bolivia, and the highlands of northwestern Venezuela.

Behaviour

While not migratory, the Yellow-bellied Siskin is known to roam within its range outside of the breeding season. It is a sociable creature, sometimes gathering in flocks of up to 30 individuals. These flocks forage in the canopy for small insects and oak flowers or descend to clearings in search of seeds. During certain times, males may engage in social singing.

Song & Calls

The song of the Yellow-bellied Siskin is a delightful chattering twitter, while its call is a sharp "pyee."

Breeding

The nest, a modest cup constructed from rootlets, bark, and lichens, is placed 2.4 to 3.7 meters high in the dense foliage of a small tree within a clearing. The female lays two or three green-tinged white eggs in April or May and is solely responsible for incubation.

Similar Species

The Yellow-bellied Siskin can be distinguished from the Lesser Goldfinch, Spinus psaltria, by its preference for woodland habitats, the male's lack of white wing patches, and its less musical song.

Diet and Feeding

This bird's diet consists of small insects, oak flowers, and seeds, which it forages for in the forest canopy or in clearings.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List classifies the Yellow-bellied Siskin as Least Concern. However, it has faced relentless persecution for the cage-bird trade in certain areas, such as central Costa Rica. Despite this, it remains common in remote or protected regions.