Photo: Siskini / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Red Siskin
Spinus cucullatus
Red Siskin (Spinus cucullatus) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of South America.
Found across 8 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Red Siskin (Spinus cucullatus) is a member of the Fringillidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 9.8 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Endangered.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Fringillidae Finches, Euphonias
- Genus Spinus
- Species cucullatus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 9.8 g
- Diet
- Seed-eaters
- Family
- Fringillidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Not Evaluated
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Red Siskin is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Red Siskin is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Red Siskin (Spinus cucullatus) is a member of the Fringillidae family, within the order Passeriformes. Its range spans South America. Its distribution covers SA ne Colombia, n, w Venezuela, s Guyana.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 9.8 g, with a wing length of about 5.8 cm and a tail of around 3.3 cm.
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 3,251 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Red Siskin?
The Red Siskin is a very small bird that weighs around 9.8 g.
Where does the Red Siskin live?
The Red Siskin is found across South America with a range covering SA ne Colombia, n, w Venezuela, s Guyana, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Red Siskin belong to?
The Red Siskin (Spinus cucullatus) belongs to the Fringillidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Red Siskin eat?
The Red Siskin is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the Red Siskin migrate?
The Red Siskin is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Red Siskin endangered?
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
How large is the Red Siskin's range?
The Red Siskin has a mapped global range of about 3,251 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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Guides for this bird
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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.