Photo: Brian Butcher / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Ethiopian Siskin
Serinus nigriceps
Ethiopian Siskin (Serinus nigriceps) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
The Ethiopian Siskin (Serinus nigriceps) is a member of the Fringillidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 15.4 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Fringillidae Finches, Euphonias
- Genus Serinus
- Species nigriceps
Quick facts
- Weight
- 15.4 g
- Diet
- Seed-eaters
- Family
- Fringillidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Ethiopian Siskin is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Ethiopian Siskin is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Ethiopian Siskin (Serinus nigriceps) is a member of the Fringillidae family, within the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF montane w Ethiopia.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 15.4 g, with a wing length of about 7.6 cm and a tail of around 5 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 115,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Ethiopian Siskin?
The Ethiopian Siskin is a small bird that weighs around 15.4 g.
Where does the Ethiopian Siskin live?
The Ethiopian Siskin is found across Africa with a range covering AF montane w Ethiopia, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Ethiopian Siskin belong to?
The Ethiopian Siskin (Serinus nigriceps) belongs to the Fringillidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Ethiopian Siskin eat?
The Ethiopian Siskin is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the Ethiopian Siskin migrate?
The Ethiopian Siskin is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Ethiopian Siskin endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Ethiopian Siskin make?
1 real field recording of the Ethiopian Siskin — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Ethiopian Siskin's range?
The Ethiopian Siskin has a mapped global range of about 115,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Fringillidae
Least Concern
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Not Evaluated
Least Concern
More in Songbirds
Endangered
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Not Evaluated
Least Concern
Guides for this bird
Best Bird Feeders for Garden Songbirds
How to choose a bird feeder for garden songbirds — the feeder styles compared, the seed they prefer, where to hang it, and how to keep birds safe. A decision framework grounded in real data, with no mystery picks.
Meet the Fringillidae
A field guide to the Fringillidae family — 238 species in the Birbs encyclopedia, with the best-known members to start with.