Saffron Siskin Spinus siemiradzkii Scientific name definitions

Long placed in the genus Carduelis, but recently transferred, along with all other Neotropical siskins, to Spinus based on the results of a far-reaching molecular study, the Saffron Siskin is a rare inhabitant of arid scrub and deciduous woodland in southwest Ecuador and immediately adjacent northwest Peru. BirdLife International currently treats the species as Vulnerable and warns that it might merit uplisting to Endangered, despite that, at least seasonally, the Saffron Siskin appears able to persist in relatively disturbed areas, and it is currently known from four protected areas. Our knowledge of this species has increased substantially in recent years, in large part due to considerable interest, both ornithological and conservationist, in the avifauna of the Tumbesian region, and just 20 years ago this species’ geographical and altitudinal range was thought to be far more circumscribed than we now know it to be. The male Saffron Siskin is predominantly yellow with a black hood, tail and wings, and yellow covert fringes and primary bases, whereas the female is considerably duller and lacks any trace of a hood. The most likely confusion risk is with the much more abundant Hooded Siskin (Spinus magellanicus), which has an olive, not yellow, mantle with black markings, and both sexes are much less yellow.

10–11 cm. Small, bright greenish-yellow finch with fine bill, yellow wingbars and notched tail. Male has head to upper nape, side of neck and throat glossy black, bordered by bright yellow collar on side of neck; lower nape to back and scapulars bright golden-olive or greenish-yellow, rump and uppertail-coverts bright yellow; tail black, broad deep yellow edges at bases of all outer feathers (forming prominent side panels); lesser and median upperwing-coverts fringed greenish-yellow, greater coverts black, broadly tipped bright yellow; alula, primary coverts and flight-feathers black, small square of bright yellow at base of primaries, tertials edged pale or whitish-yellow; underparts rich yellow or saffron-yellow, tinged greenish on flanks and slightly paler on vent to undertail-coverts; iris black; bill dark brown or horn-brown; legs brown or dark brown. Distinguished from S. magellanicus mainly by deeper yellow underparts and lack of dark feather centres on mantle and back. Female has forehead pale yellow, crown and upperparts olive-green with faint streaks on crown and nape, green-tinged yellow rump and uppertail-coverts; face pale olive-green, poorly defined paler yellow supercilium and cheek patch; wings and tail as for male, but tips of wing-coverts duller, tertials narrowly fringed whitish; chin to upper breast greenish-yellow, centre of breast, belly and flanks saffron-yellow (brighter yellow than female S. magellanicus), vent whitish and undertail-coverts pale yellow. Juvenile is like female, but duller.

Mostly various seeds , also buds, leaves and some insects. Forages low down in tall grasses and other seed-bearing plants, and on ground. In pairs and in small groups, occasionally in flocks of up to 30 individuals; in non-breeding season often in company with other seed-eaters.

Calls include high-pitched twitter in flight  ; song apparently very similar to that of S. magellanicus.

Season Jan–May. No further information.

VULNERABLE. Restricted range species: present in Tumbesian Region EBA. Uncommon or rare; locally fairly common (at two sites). Estimated global population possibly only a few thousand individuals, but not well known. Potentially seriously threatened by fragmentation of its range through rapid deforestation for agriculture and intense grazing; in 30 years between 1958 and 1988, rate of clearance of lowland forest (below 900 m) in W Ecuador was 57% per decade, leaving a mere 8%; continuing loss of forest patches will further reduce local populations. On the other hand, this species appears reasonably tolerant of heavily disturbed habitats, and in Ecuador has been recorded several times in centre of Guayaquil, the largest city in that country; possibly dependent on deciduous forest during part of its life-cycle. Most localities at which this species has been found appear to be close to the interface zone between forest and arid scrub; exceptions are records on coast of Tumbes, in Peru, and on Puná I (S Guayas) and at a site in SW Manabí­, in Ecuador. Even if it is not dependent on deciduous forest throughout entire year, loss of forest patches still likely to cause decline in overall habitat suitability; also, changes in agricultural practice, especially pesticide use, could have an impact on this siskin in semi-agricultural habitats. Occurs in Machalilla National Park (Manabí­) and three other protected forests in Ecuador, and in Northwest Biosphere Reserve, in Peru.