One of the most striking and rare members of the Spinus genus — a small finch with vibrant scarlet-red plumage, set off by contrasting black wings, tail, and head. Native to northern South America, especially Venezuela and parts of Colombia and Guyana, this bird looks like it was dipped in fire. Among its mostly yellow or green-toned cousins, the red siskin is a glowing outlier, and that bold color has made it both a symbol of beauty and a target of exploitation.
What sets the red siskin apart isn’t just its color — it’s also its unusual backstory. For decades, it was heavily trapped for the cage bird trade, especially in the early 20th century. Its brilliant red feathers were in high demand, and breeders tried to cross it with domestic canaries to create red-colored canary hybrids. While this led to a surge in its popularity in aviculture, it had a devastating effect on wild populations, which plummeted due to over-collection and habitat loss.
Today, the red siskin is considered critically endangered in the wild. In Venezuela, its stronghold, wild populations are fragmented and declining, though some small populations still persist. However, the species has become a conservation success story in progress: captive breeding and reintroduction programs, including international collaborations, are working to rebuild wild populations in protected areas. There’s even a groundbreaking conservation initiative called the Red Siskin Initiative, which blends scientific research, habitat protection, sustainable livelihoods, and education to save this bird.
In terms of behavior, red siskins are gregarious and social, often seen in small, active flocks that move quickly among treetops. Their song is a lively, tinkling series of trills and chirps, typical of finches but with a slightly softer tone. They feed mainly on small seeds, especially from grasses and flowering plants, and they forage both in trees and on the ground.
Distribution
Colombia
Guyana
Puerto Rico
Trinidad & Tobago
VenezuelaAnything we've missed?
Help us improve this page by suggesting edits. Glory never dies!
Suggest an editGet to know me
Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic / Monomorphic (size)
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Flock
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
