Siskin or Chaffinch?

RobinP · #1 (**permalink**) 17-02-2009, 01:55 PM

I thought this was a female Siskin when I was taking the pic, as there was a male nearby, but now I'm not so sure.

Experts please?

Connor7 · #2 (**permalink**) 17-02-2009, 01:59 PM

Hello,
just looked on a few websites and i am doubtful that it is a siskin as they usually have distinctive yellow markings (correct if wrong) so i think its closer to a chaffinch but there are still some differences.
hope that helped

Connor

Dogghound · #3 (**permalink**) 17-02-2009, 01:59 PM

A chaffinch

Wild-Woman · #4 (**permalink**) 17-02-2009, 02:00 PM

I say female Chaffinch.

smartie · #5 (**permalink**) 17-02-2009, 02:02 PM

I think it's a chaffinch. If it was a siskin I'd expect the underparts to be streakier and the eye markings look more like a chaffinch.

Ruth Daniel · #6 (**permalink**) 17-02-2009, 02:11 PM

Yes it's definitely a female Chaffinch.

RobinP · #7 (**permalink**) 17-02-2009, 02:22 PM

Thanks all, there were about 30 Siskins in the alders at Amwell NR (Herts) today, here's a male:

Pippa · #8 (**permalink**) 17-02-2009, 07:30 PM

We get so many Chaffs coming in and a new bird to our garden is the Siskin.

so i am well pleased.

earthdragon64 · #9 (**permalink**) 17-02-2009, 07:57 PM

I'd say Chaffinch, I get 40+ in my garden most days and there is quite a wide variety in colouring. However, I wouldn't expect to see any pink/brown colour in a Siskin, which the bird in the photo has.