The Antillean siskin is a species of finch in the family Fringillidae, and the only species of the genus Spinus found in the Caribbean.
Region
Greater Antilles
Typical Environment
Endemic to the island of Hispaniola (Dominican Republic and Haiti), where it frequents montane pine forests, mixed pine-broadleaf woodland, and adjacent scrubby edges. It is most often associated with stands of native Hispaniolan pine but also uses secondary growth and forest clearings. Outside the breeding season it may descend to lower elevations where seed resources are abundant. It forages from canopy level down to shrubby margins and weedy patches. Human-altered landscapes with scattered trees and seeding plants can also attract small groups.
Altitude Range
500–3000 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
The Antillean siskin is the only Spinus siskin native to the Caribbean, occurring naturally on Hispaniola. It is agile and acrobatic while feeding, often hanging from cones and seed heads. Small flocks are common outside the breeding season, and it is sometimes impacted by local trapping for the cage-bird trade.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
bounding flight with rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Often travels in small, noisy flocks outside the breeding season, sometimes joining mixed-species finch groups. Breeding pairs build small cup nests high in conifers or tall shrubs. The species shows loose colonial tendencies where food is abundant and may form post-breeding aggregations.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A lively, high-pitched series of twitters and trills, delivered in short, hurried phrases. Calls include buzzy notes and tinkling flight calls typical of siskins. Males sing from exposed perches in the canopy during breeding.
Plumage
Male is bright yellow-green with a small black cap and black wings showing yellow patches and pale wingbars; tail is notched with yellow edging. Female is duller olive to gray-green with faint streaking and lacks the male’s black cap, showing more subdued wing markings. Both sexes have a fine, conical bill suited to seed feeding.
Diet
Primarily consumes seeds from pines, grasses, and composite herbs, deftly extracting them with its fine bill. It also takes buds and small fruits when available. During the breeding season it may add small insects and larvae, likely to provide protein for nestlings. It often feeds acrobatically, hanging upside down to reach cones and seed heads.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in pine canopies, along forest edges, and in weedy clearings where seed-bearing plants are abundant. It will also forage along roadsides, secondary growth, and scrub adjacent to montane forests. Small flocks move between patches as resources change.
