Wildlife February 2010

[Maggi Young]

I was far from clear myself, Robin! Never mind, they're all fab!

[Armin]

Against all previous misgivings not all Goldfinches (Carduelis carduelis) flew to the U.K.
At least one living visited today my bird feeder station.

Quite regular during the last days European Siskins (Carduelis spinus) overrun in small crowds my feeder station.
They love to eat the offered peanuts.

[mark smyth]

Here's a photo of a gorgeous hawfinch. I love their eye and pleated wing feathers
http://www.birdpix.nl/album_page.php?pic_id=160757

[Ragged Robin]

This is the brightest Sisken I have seen - like a sherbet lemon 

This one couldn't make it's mind up in the tree this morning:

"To fluff or not to fluff, that is the question"

[mark smyth]

I have never seen a siskin so bright

[ranunculus]

Jaundiced?      Lovely Robins as usual, Siskin!   

[Armin]

Robin,
it looks like a male of the black-chinned siskin (Spinus barbatus; German: Bartzeisig) and has no jaundice, Cliff.

I've found following:
The specis natural distribution is of northern Chile and southern Bolivia to the northwest covering Argentina, Tierra del Fuego and the Falkland Islands. In the highlands and mountain valleys, with moderate to cool weather. It prefers the vicinity of watercourses and shrubby grasslands, and here especially the meadows. Its breeding season is in the wild from October to December, otherwise it is on the move in family groups.
Bartzeisig were introduced to the first 1875 in England and then 1878 in Germany.

[Ragged Robin]

Thanks for your interesting research into the Siskin Armin - it certainly is quite different to the others, in terms of colouring, with yellow also on the back and so bright.  

There is another bird which has arrived here for the first time but it is very shy and takes off with the slightest movement - I took one photo but it's not good so am hoping to catch it unawares if I'm patient  

[mark smyth]

I found a dead redpoll in the garden today. I'm thinking the high fat diet of nyger isn't good for them

[Armin]

Robin,
it was me a pleasure. When I first saw your pictures I immediately thought of Citril Finch (Carduelis citrinella, German: Zitronenzeisig or Zitronengirlitz) a specis of the alps. However, the male is different colored around the neck.
The key was the black spot on the throat. I remembered black-chinned siskins were offered in pet shops in my youth.
I hope you will be lucky to make a good shot of your shy "no name". I'm always glad to give it a name.

Mark,
hm - it is a pity. Maybe you are right. Enderohepatic collapse.

[Lesley Cox]

The siskin is a beautiful little chap Robin. I do wish we had more of these colourful Europeans in New Zealand. And I love the hawfinch in the link you gave Mark. So smart, almost a military stance. Love his scientific name too.

[Lesley Cox]

Your dead redpoll Mark, could it not be the weather perhaps or even just the end of whatever lifespan a redpoll is allotted?

[David Nicholson]

Does that mean I might pop my clogs in the pub Lesley? Way to go!!

[Lesley Cox]

Well, if the cap - or the clogs fit David. I guess having to be carried out dead would be even worse than just having to be carried out! Which, I hasten to add, has NEVER happened to me.

[David Nicholson]

But of course not!