Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus)

The amount of yellow in the wings varies individually and cannot be used to reliably sex these siskins. Juveniles resemble adults but have buffy wing-bars. This is a rather nomadic species, and California seems to be currently experiencing a modest invasion of these birds. There are three subspecies. This is the widespread nominate North American race. Two others are found in Mexico. They are less distinctly streaked and differ in size and the amount of yellow in the tail. Based on mitochondrial genetic data these siskins and North American goldfinches were moved from the genus Carduelis to Spinus in the 50th supplement to the AOU Check-list. This change produced one of my favorite rhyming scientific bird names.

These Siskins and the Red Crossbills I posted earlier are perched on top of a double headed statue that is sometimes referred to as Kuan Yin, but I'm not sure exactly what it is. In any event the birds stage on the crown of this statue either to gain enlightenment or more likely to stage for going to bathe and drink in the water feature under the statue.