The siskin is a lively little bird with a forked tail. It is a colourful member of the finch family with a distinctive yellow stripe on its black wings. With a liking for conifer, alder and birch seeds, siskins will also visit gardens to take advantage of any nuts left in bird feeders. They are quite acrobatic using their feet to bring hanging food into reach. Siskins are common throughout most of Europe and Asia, with the UK enjoying a healthy population that is most numerous in Scotland and Wales. Those in England are joined in winter by a influx from Europe. Listen out for the song, a pleasant mix of twitters and trills, often performed in groups.

Live webcam: Watch live action of garden birds during the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch weekend.

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