Pine Siskin

I find that I often think of the Pine Siskin as a rather nondescript little bird, but that perhaps is a mistaken assumption on my part. They most often seem to be among a flock of American Goldfinch, or later in the season, with Common Redpolls; and both the Goldfinch and Redpolls have a flashier, more attractive presence I think. Although the male and female Pine Siskin look very much alike the male has overall, more yellow on its body. I am assuming that the Siskin pictured above, with it obvious yellow, is a male. The female has more of an overall, streaked brown appear -ance. We haven't had many Pine Siskins at our feeders over the past year but a week or so ago two or three have shown up at our feeders with a flock of American Goldfinch. Its characteristic slender, pointed bill can be easily seen in the photo below.This Pine Siskin shown above is perhaps a female.