i spy a pine siskin

There have been reports of a Pine Siskin irruption in the Twin Cities. Pine Siskins are small finches. "Adults are brown on the upperparts and pale on the underparts, with heavy streaking throughout. They have a short forked tail. They have yellow patches in their wings and tail, not always visible; otherwise, it appears to be a very small streaked sparrow." Their breeding grounds are in Canada, Alaska, and the northern parts of the U.S. They migrate southward in winter.

Pine Siskins have recently been reported in Minnesota. A little over a week ago, I saw a flock a of 15 to 20 feeding on white cedar cones in our yard. I've waited years to see these "winter" finches. Every winter in Minnesota there have been reports of siskins and red polls and this is a first time sighting for me.

A Pine Siskin feeding at the top of the tree.

A Pine Siskin, in the center of the photo, feeding.

It's difficult to see in the photo but there are four Pine Siskins in the tree.