English             -              Hooded Siskin

Portuguese     -               Pintassilgo

Latin                -               Spinus magellanicus

The Hooded Siskin is a small type of finch, native to South America. They are part of the Neotropical Siskin family. It is the most widespread Siskin in South America.

The Hooded Siskin is 10 to 14 cm in length and can weigh up to 15 grams. The male is largely olive above and yellow below with a black head. It has a narrow yellow collar and a yellow rump. The tail is black with yellow sides to the base and the wings are black with a broad yellow band. Females are duller with a green-brown head, yellow-green breast and sides and a whitish belly. The twittering song may be uttered from a perch or in flight. It is varied and fast, and may contain imitations of other birds. 

It is found from central Argentina north to central Brazil. In the Andean region it occurs from north-west Argentina and northern Chile north to central Colombia. There are isolated populations in south-east Venezuela, Guyana and in the Brazilian state of Roraima. The Hooded Siskin habitat include woodland areas, savannahs, scrubland, farmland, parks and gardens, from sea-level up to about 5,000 meters. 

The Hooded Siskin feeds primarily on seeds, buds and leaves from several plant species such as thistles and Lactuca. It will occasionally takes insects for protein, to feed the new chicks to assist with their rapid growth.

During the breeding season, the Hooded Siskin defends a small area around their nest. Usually, they spend little time on territorial defence. Pair-bonds are maintained by songs. Both mates stay together with the male accompanying the female where ever she goes especially when the female is building the nest.  The nest is a small cup made with fine plant material. The female lays 2-3 eggs and incubates them for 12-13 days. Usually, the male provides the female with food during the incubation and post hatching period and she in turn feeds the newly hatched chicks regurgitated food directly into their open mouths.
The young birds fledge two weeks after hatching but still depend on their parents for food for a few more days.

The Hooded Siskin is fairly common and has a large range, but it is often trapped for the pet-trade. Some declines have been noticed in some areas of its range but currently the Hooded Siskin is classified as a species ”of least concern”.

Photos of the Hooded Siskin were taken at Parque das Aves - Foz do Iguacu - Parana