Black siskin

Black siskin
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringillidae
Subfamily: Carduelinae
Genus: Spinus
Species:
S. atratus
Binomial name
Spinus atratus
Synonyms
  • Sporagra atrata
  • Carduelis atrata

The black siskin (Spinus atratus) is a species of bird in the family Fringillidae, the finches and euphonias.[2] It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru.[3]

Taxonomy and systematics

The black siskin was originally described in 1837 with the binomial Carduelis atratus.[4] It was later moved to what was then the subgenus Spinus within genus Carduelis and also spent time in genus Sporagra. Beginning in about 2009 the subgenus was elevated to full genus level and the black siskin, the rest of the New World siskins, and the New World goldfinches were therefore elevated to now-genus Spinus.[5][6][7]

The black siskin is monotypic.[2]

Juvenile black siskin

Description

The black siskin is 12 to 13 cm (4.7 to 5.1 in) long and weighs about 15 to 17 g (0.53 to 0.60 oz). The species is sexually dimorphic but not dramatically so. Adult males are almost entirely glossy black. The sides of the bases of their tail feathers are bright yellow. Their wings' greater coverts have yellow tips and the flight feathers have wide yellow bands across their bases. Their vent and undertail coverts are bright yellow. Adult females have slightly browner upperparts than males. The yellow parts of their tail and wings are paler than those of males. Their underparts are variable; their breast and belly can be yellow and sometimes there is dark mottling on the breast and flanks. Juveniles are similar to adult females though overall duller and browner and have paler yellow areas. Both sexes have a black iris, a dark horn maxilla, a lighter horn mandible, and dark brown or blackish brown legs and feet. The black siskin can be confused with the yellow-rumped siskin (Spinus uropygialis) where their ranges overlap in Bolivia.[8]

Distribution and habitat

The black siskin is found along the Andes from eastern Ancash and western Huánuco departments in north-central Peru south through western Bolivia to northern Chile's Antofagasta Region and west-central Argentina's Mendoza Province. It is a bird of the puna and Altiplano, biomes characterized by rocky hillsides, crags, and gullies with grasses, cushion plants, and scattered shrubs and scrub.[8][9] It also occurs along the edges of woodlands and cultivated areas and around human-inhabited areas. Overall it ranges in elevation from 1,800 to 4,800 m (5,900 to 15,700 ft).[8] In Peru it ranges between 3,500 and 4,700 m (11,500 and 15,400 ft).[9]

Behavior

Movement

The black siskin is generally a year-round resident but some individuals move to lower elevations after the breeding season.[8]

Feeding

The black siskin feeds primarily on seeds. It forages in pairs and small flocks during the breeding season and in larger flocks after it; the latter may include other species of siskin. It forages on the ground and in low vegetation.[8]

Breeding

The black siskin's breeding season has not been defined but appears to span at least November to April. Nothing else is known about the species' breeding biology.[8]

Vocalization

The black siskin's song is not well known but appears to be similar to that of the yellow-rumped siskin (S. uropygialis). The species sings from a perch atop a bush or tree and also in flight.[8] Its calls are mostly given in flight and include "a descending tew, chew, and a hew-li?".[9]

Status

The IUCN has assessed the black siskin as being of Least Concern. It has a large range; its population size is not known but is believed to be stable. No immediate threats have been identified. However, it is often trapped illegally for the pet trade.[1] It is considered uncommon to locally common overall[8] and uncommon to fairly common in Peru[9].

References

  1. 1 2 BirdLife International (2024). "Black Siskin Spinus atratus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2024 e.T22720401A263293113. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2024-2.RLTS.T22720401A263293113.en. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
  2. 1 2 Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (March 2025). "Finches, euphonias, longspurs, Thrush-tanager". IOC World Bird List. v 15.1. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  3. ↑ Remsen, J. V., Jr., J. I. Areta, E. Bonaccorso, S. Claramunt, D. F. Lane, L, N. Naka, M. B. Robbins, F. G. Stiles, and K. J. Zimmer. Version 27 February 2026. Species Lists of Birds for South American Countries and Territories. South American Classification Committee associated with the International Ornithologists' Union. https://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCCountryLists.htm retrieved February 28, 2026
  4. ↑ de LaFresnaye, Frédéric; d'Orbigny, Alcide (1837). "Synopsis Avium, in ejus per Americam meridionalem itinere, collectarum et ab ipso viatore necnon". Magasin de zoologie (in Latin). 7. Lequien fils: 83. Retrieved March 29, 2026.
  5. ↑ Remsen, J. V., Jr., J. I. Areta, E. Bonaccorso, S. Claramunt, D. F. Lane, L, N. Naka, M. B. Robbins, F. G. Stiles, and K. J. Zimmer. Version 27 February 2026. A classification of the bird species of South America. South American Classification Committee associated with the International Ornithologists' Union. https://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCBaseline.htm retrieved February 28, 2026
  6. ↑ Check-list of North American Birds (7th ed.). Washington, D.C.: American Ornithologists' Union. 1998. p. 666.
  7. ↑ R. Terry Chesser, Richard C. Banks, F. Keith Barker, Carla Cicero, Jon L. Dunn, Andrew W. Kratter, Irby J. Lovette, Pamela C. Rasmussen, J. V. Remsen, Jr., James D. Rising, Douglas F. Stotz, and Kevin Winker. "Fiftieth supplement to the American Ornithological Society s Check-list of North American Birds". The Auk 2009, vol. 126(3):710–711 retrieved 15 March 2025
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Clement, P. (2025). Black Siskin (Spinus atratus), version 1.1. In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, E. de Juana, and M. G. Smith, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.blasis1.01.1 retrieved March 29, 2026
  9. 1 2 3 4 Schulenberg, T.S.; Stotz, D.F.; Lane, D.F.; O'Neill, J.P.; Parker, T.A. III (2010). Birds of Peru. Princeton Field Guides (revised and updated ed.). Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. p. 632. ISBN 978-0691130231.

Further reading

  • Clement, Peter; Harris, Alan & Davis, John (1993): Finches and Sparrows: an identification guide. Christopher Helm, London. ISBN 0-7136-8017-2
  • Wikimedia Commons logo Media related to Spinus atrata at Wikimedia Commons
  • Wikispecies logo Data related to Spinus atrata at Wikispecies
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