A Siskin on a Niger Feeder

[witham]

We have recently attracted a number of Goldfinches into the garden with a couple of niger feeders but for the last couple of days there's been alot of squabbling around one of them with a 'newcomer' trying to get onto the feeder, this morning it was there feeding quite happily with four Goldfinches (it's a six hole feeder) after watching it for a while with my 'bins' I'm sure its a Siskin as it is yellowy and has dark markings on its wings and head, much deeper than a Yellowhammer, is it normal for them to go on a feeder, there was also a similar bird feeding nearby on the ground with the Finches although alot paler, would this be a female or another species.

[Paul mabbott]

Sounds about right - quite small birds. The female is very dull but has little yellowish markings on the wings. The male is more brightly coloured and can, I think, only be confused with a greenfinch but has much finer beak. The darkened patch over the head is distinctive.

They do love nyger seed (they're the only birds I get on it!) - when you see one you commonly see several.

Originally Posted by witham

We have recently attracted a number of Goldfinches into the garden with a couple of niger feeders but for the last couple of days there's been alot of squabbling around one of them with a 'newcomer' trying to get onto the feeder, this morning it was there feeding quite happily with four Goldfinches (it's a six hole feeder) after watching it for a while with my 'bins' I'm sure its a Siskin as it is yellowy and has dark markings on its wings and head, much deeper than a Yellowhammer, is it normal for them to go on a feeder, there was also a similar bird feeding nearby on the ground with the Finches although alot paler, would this be a female or another species.

[tich007mt]

I have been trying to attract Goldfinches with a niger feeder and sunflower hearts in the dish at the bottom of it. No Goldfinches yet but I get Siskins every day now scoffing the sunflower hearts!

Tich

[Chrisg]

Siskins have recently joined the throng of goldfinches that visit my nyger feeders much to the annoyance of the former who constantly try to move them on. I first thought they were juvenile goldfinches but not of course this time of year.

ChrisG