Pine Siskin FAQ

2/13/2021

Pine Siskin, by Joanie Christian

We are getting lots of calls from people about Pine Siskins at their feeders and concerns ranging from spread of disease to frustration with the sheer volume of seed that these little birds eat. Here are the answers to some of the questions we are hearing.

Why are there so many Pine Siskins this year? - It's an irruption year. Each year, Georgia has a few eBird reports of Pine Siskins, but every few years we have an irruption year and large numbers of siskins migrate to Georgia for the winter. Long story short, it's primarily linked to seed production in pines and other conifers in the boreal forest, but this year Georgia is seeing HUGE numbers of birds.

They are eating me out of house and home. What can I do? - There's not much you can do to discourage these hungry birds, and, as you may have experienced, they can empty your feeders in a matter of minutes. But if you'd like to discourage them, try feeding larger seeds, cracked corn, or even suet. If all else fails, take down your feeders for a few weeks. They should begin dispersing over the next month as they return to their breeding grounds further north. Personally, we prefer to enjoy them while they're here and know that they'll be moving on soon. In the meantime, we’re stocking up on bird food!

I've heard Pine Siskins can spread disease, such as salmonella and finch eye disease. How can I prevent this? - With bird species like Pine Siskins (and House Finches) that travel in large flocks, it is easy for a single sick bird to spread disease to others because of the sheer volume of birds. If you notice an ill siskin or other bird at your feeder (puffy appearance, lethargic, sunken or swollen eyes), the best thing you can do is to take down your feeder, clean it with a mild bleach solution, and keep the feeder down for a few weeks to allow any diseased birds to disperse. Otherwise, just be sure to keep your feeders clean to minimize the spread of bacteria and other diseases that can make birds ill. If you have a sick bird, you can find a list of wildlife rehabilitators on our website.

60 Comments

Corliss Rupp

2/16/2021 05:33:04 pm

Over this weekend, during the GBBC, I found three dead or dying pine siskins and one Junco. None of them appeared to have eye discharge or were puffy.
Has anybody reported an outbreak of mycoplasmosis?
If not, should these birds’s bodies be submitted for examination?
They are currently in my freezer.

I have since removed all but suet feeders.
l live in Snellville, Georgia.

Georgia Audubon link

2/23/2021 07:44:11 am

We have heard some reports of salmonella being spread through feeders. Taking your feeders down, cleaning them well, and keeping them down for a week or two will prevent further disease transmission. It is best just to dispose of or bury the dead birds you found to prevent other birds from getting sick.

Rosy H

2/25/2021 10:12:00 pm

Are all songbirds susceptible to salmonella? How about the squirrels that visit my feeders?

Carolyn Asman

2/22/2021 07:06:23 pm

We live in Cobb County. We have found 2 dead Pine Siskins in our yard this week. Several others that are fluffy and don't fly away when we approach. We think that they may be sick too. My brother is reporting some of the same behavior in Gwinnett county.

I guess the best thing we can do is take our feeders down.

Georgia Audubon

2/23/2021 07:46:13 am

Yes, taking your feeders down will help prevent further disease transmission.

Angeline Christensen

2/23/2021 03:04:48 pm

I also live in Cobb County and have found five dead or dying Pine Siskins in my yard within the last two weeks. I do not have a feeder, but maybe the neighbors?

Rosie

2/26/2021 05:05:49 pm

In East Cobb. Noticed a Pine Siskin this afternoon in the drizzle. It was puffed out, was very lethargic and didn't fly away when approached. (eventually it did)

Chris

3/1/2021 10:55:52 am

Same here in Cobb - near Kennesaw Mountain.

2/23/2021 09:01:22 am

Any thoughts about widely broadcasting seed on the ground during dry weather?

The pine siskins and other birds would not have direct contact w potential disease spreading fluids as they might at tube or platform feeders.

Bridget Stephens

3/14/2021 02:07:16 pm

Not recommended since they would still eat in the same spot where they poop. Best to just stop feeding seed until the siskins move out. I've put up more suet since they do not eat from it. At least it gives the woodpeckers and finches something to eat.

2/25/2021 02:05:32 pm

I've had two pine siskins and a goldfinch die on my platform feeders in Buckhead within the last two weeks - all three looked very puffy (like they had all of their feathers fluffed for cold weather) and were extremely lethargic. I've seen several other look puffy so I'm concerned they may also be ill. I'll follow this advice and remove feeders for a while.

Amy S

3/1/2021 02:59:01 pm

I had two sick pine siskins at my feeder today. One sat on the feeder and wouldn’t fly off when approached. It was puffed up and had sunken eyes. When it finally got chased off, I took the feeder in.

TDW

3/10/2021 12:49:44 pm

Problem is reaching a critical state in San Francisco: https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/Songbirds-dying-Bay-Area-pine-siskin-CDFW-16012798.php

I'd advise removing, not just cleaning, feeders for a while. Scattering seeds on the ground won't help much, as the bug can be spread via feces. There's also increased risk of predation, of course.

Gloria B

3/11/2021 10:59:23 am

I’m in Ball Ground, GA. I’m having the same problem. Some sickly birds at the feeder and three dead birds in two days. Could be siskins or some type of finches. They had some yellow under the wings. Much to my dismay I’m taking the feeders down for a few weeks.

B Stephens

3/11/2021 11:58:32 am

I have found 3 male pine Siskins dead in my yard this past week. I thought my puppy was killing them as she chases anything that moves. Apparently this is not the case as we just went outside and she chased one but it found refuge under the deck. It appears to be sick too with sunken eyes but doesn’t look puffy so I’m taking down my bird feeders. Due to a lot of development going on in my area many neighbors have been feeding the birds so I’ll need to put the word out for everyone to do the same to help contain this outbreak. BTW, I live in Marietta.

Michael Reed

3/14/2021 12:52:53 pm

I live near Lost Mountain in West Cobb. 7 feeders spaced anywhere 15 to 45 feet apart. Heavily wooded property. Fill feeders once a week and wash each one with dawn and hot water each week. My hawk devoured 2 pine suskins. Found 1 dead at my garage door, 1 stuck in my greenhouse and 2 dead ones today. The other birds seem to be doing ok.

Sue B

3/14/2021 06:33:26 pm

If clean may I leave my suet feeders up?
How about spreading white millet on my pation for chipping sparrows?

3/14/2021 09:04:09 pm

Siskins eat millet, so it would not be advisable, but I understand suet is ok to leave out, again if the baskets are kept clean.

M Smith

3/14/2021 07:07:26 pm

I live in Dalton area. Saw a bird looking puffy and wouldn't fly away 2 days ago, today found it dead. I will take down my feeders and clean them.

G moore

3/22/2021 06:21:39 pm

I live in Rising Fawn , Ga. we have found about 8 dead birds. I think finch’s over the past month. We are about 120 miles from Atlanta. Looks like may be a state wide problem. We have cleaned all our feeder and taken them down.

R Shelton

3/24/2021 08:28:08 pm

Live in Walton county. Ended up with probably 100 Pine Siskins. Found two dead. Took up feeders a week ago to clean. Still have not put feeders back up. Found three more dead. 😞 Just hoping they fly back north soon. I did leave up my suet and meal worms as they never ate them.

3/24/2021 08:36:12 pm

I put my feeders back out a couple days ago after 3 weeks and I haven’t seen any pine siskins! I think they may have moved on from my area (Brookhaven)

Sherry

3/25/2021 01:09:08 pm

I found a Pine Siskin in my backyard today, hopping around and unable to fly. Seems okay otherwise. I have him in a Have-a-Hart trap with some water and seed and he's eating, but hasn't drank anything yet. Figure I'll keep him here for a couple of days and see if he gets better, or I'll take him to For Pets Sake for some rehab. He doesn't look or seem sick. Just hurt.

Robin Johnson

4/19/2021 02:42:24 pm

How did it go? I have had several apparently healthy and feisty siskins who weren't able to fly appear over the season.

Sam

3/25/2021 10:23:44 pm

We are in White County, Ga North Georgia. We found one pine siskin today that was in bad shape, it later died. Classic case of puffiness and lack of concern when approached. We need to get the word out more about this, I feel a lot of well-meaning folks don't know. Took all feeders down today for deep clean and sanitize, wish I had known earlier.

Dorinda

4/1/2021 12:02:32 pm

Sporadic dead/sick Pine Siskins in Harris County, GA. Rural area but many homes have feeders out. Had three in the last two weeks. Following recommendations.

Lynn Almand

4/2/2021 07:20:27 pm

I live in Forsyth County and have not put my feeders back up. How will we know when it is ok?

4/2/2021 08:31:06 pm

In Marietta - I guess it's a trial & error. I plan on putting mine back up on Easter morning so I can watch for any pine siskins. If I see any approaching, I'll take it back down. Will post here with my "trial". Thanks everyone for getting the word out about this issue.

4/6/2021 08:59:25 am

Migration has begun and Pine Siskins are departing for more northerly climates so it is probably okay to put your cleaned feeders back up. Still, keep a close eye out on them for any sick birds that may show up.

4/6/2021 11:23:50 am

I've had one feeder up for 2 days now and haven't seen any Pine Siskins so I sincerely hope they have moved north.

Angela Gross

4/9/2021 03:38:48 pm

Just saw a sickly single pine Siskin ...had flocks of them in Winter, several deceased during the season. Feeders are still down. April 8, Atlanta address

Kathleen Anderson

4/8/2021 03:46:53 pm

We live outside of Columbus, GA. It seemed we were having less pine siskens but today we have more than ever. I walked outside and the trees and feeders were full of them. I hope this is a sign they are moving on.

4/19/2021 02:51:18 pm

Did they leave yet? Ours haven't.

Robin K Johnson

4/9/2021 01:54:10 pm

Have had a small flock of around 22 siskins in my yard and neighborhood in Covington since fall. After seeing sick birds and reading articles about the diseases common to siskin flocks, I changed the style of feeders to limit fecal contamination of food. Finch feeders with no bottom tray are an example. Removing fallen seeds frequently. This can't prevent transmission of disease via saliva or direct contact, of course, but I think the reality is, only half of these birds are expected to live to return North. I could not find any real evidence that removing feeders would prevent deaths, rather than just making the birds die out of sight. 40% of mourning doves carry salmonella, so these siskins are not driving the disease, they are just more susceptible to it than other birds. I have sterilized everything frequently. Across the season, I know of 5 deaths. There are 12 healthy birds at this point, and 2 who seem ill. The healthy birds seem to eat separately from the weaker ones, as they squabble. I have tried to encourage the separation. Hoping the healthy ones leave soon. There have been 2 separate instances of very healthy looking and acting birds, who would not fly. They were feisty and did run away fast. Don't know if it's an odd presentation of disease, or if they were injured.

Michelle

4/23/2021 07:52:08 am

We still have about 20-30 Pine Siskins at our feeders daily. I have done everything I know to do. I took down feeders for a few weeks, cleaned feeders weekly when I put them back up and nothing has helped. I tend to agree that taking down feeders only allows the deaths to happen out of sight instead of in your backyard. So sad for these little birds.

Mary

4/14/2021 08:59:51 pm

I live in Athens, GA and just found a dead pine Siskin on the ground not too far from my feeder station. It had a few niger seeds still stuck on its beak. They mostly eat niger seeds through a sock that is replaced new each time so not sure if it was that or if the bird was already sick. Still, I will disinfect the bird bath and platform feeder with bleach tomorrow.

Lisa Keith

4/18/2021 11:45:59 am

A large flock of sickens arrived in my Milton backyard in October. Several months ago I saw sick birds so I took my feeder down. I put my feeder out last week and saw no sickens until today - another large flock. If they were going to migrate I would think they would be gone by now. They aggressively drive all the other birds away from yard.

4/19/2021 02:50:36 pm

Have they left yet? They haven't left Covington yet.

4/19/2021 02:45:31 pm

So, the siskins still haven't left yet. Technically, they nest in May, so hopefully they plan to leave soon. I found another dead bird, sadly. Do they ever remain in Georgia rather than migrate back north?

4/19/2021 02:58:20 pm

There are still a few siskins lingering but the majority of them have now migrated north. They will continue to leave over the coming weeks until there are none left. They will not remain in Georgia for the summer.

Shanna

4/21/2021 12:00:08 pm

Columbus, GA - I was outside yesterday photographing birds when I noticed something in a photo of a female cardinal on the ground. After loading my photos I realized it was a dead siskin. I went out to dispose of it and found another nearby. Today I was shooting a few photos and noticed a siskin land on the birdbath and sit for a while. It eventually jumped down, but sat in the pine straw right under the bath for at least 30 minutes. With how lethargic it seemed, I’m assuming I will have another to dispose of soon.

Amanda Barnett

4/27/2021 05:03:16 pm

I'm grateful to have found others who care deeply for these sweet little pine siskins. It's so very sad they're dying. It seems we are all doing our part to clean feeders, but is there a way to widely disseminate antimicrobials to end the outbreak?

I found another little guy dying in my yard two days ago, just minutes after I put my thoroughly scrubbed feeders back up. He died a short while later. All I could do was cry and bury him in my "siskin graveyard."

I'm now rethinking everything about feeding birds. Should I feed them? Am I doing more harm than good?

I'm inclined to give it another try with stepped up cleanings of the feeders and a different approach to the ground beneath the feeders (I have bark chips and this clearly is not the way to go!)

If anyone has tips, please share. I'm also interested in thoughts on "bird baths" ... They have never seemed health to me. I also keep ant moats out so the birds can drink poop-free water.

Lots of sad lessons recently.

I agree that removing the feeders disperses the birds, but they end up at a nasty feeder in another yard.

Rena Beam

4/28/2021 07:32:24 am

It's the end of April and we are still flooded with siskins! I don't want to take feederrs down but have switched to larger seeds and suet! I'm in Dahlonega and hoping I'm not their further north location! Hahaha
Rena

Kat Walter link

4/28/2021 10:30:04 am

I live alone after my husband passed and this is my first time to have a bird feeder. I noticed many birds I didn't recognize and looked them up and identified pine siskins and this years irruption nd learned about the numerous deaths due to salmonella . I started seeing the puffed up ones and dead ones. While I haven't seen any other types of dead birds, I understand the salmonella can spread to other bird species as well as pets and humans. Being someone who wants to be part of the solution and not the problem (ie same as in the Covid pandemic), I took my feeder down and will not put it back up.

4/28/2021 02:53:07 pm

Kat,

I'm so very sorry to hear that your husband has died.

I agree, it's hard to know if we are helping or hurting. I can say that I had never had a dead bird in my yard (except one that flew into a window) until this year. I have kept up several feeders for over 20 years. This is clearly an unusual situation.

I know that one of the state's ornithologists said it does help to feed the birds. But is a big responsibility to keep the feeders and bird baths and the ground around them clean. So I will keep trying and keep educating myself about healthy ways to help the birds.

I wish you peace and hope that you are getting support in your grief for your husband.

-Amanda Barnett

Kat Walter

5/8/2021 01:59:08 pm

Thank you for your kind comments. I have kept my feeders down and will do so until I am certain the pine siskins have migrated back north. With that said it seems like I am not helping these birds but I do understand that the diseases will diminish as the population adapts to a more natural feeding pattern vs concentrated feeders

4/28/2021 05:06:30 pm

I'm located in west Marietta and have had my feeders back up for 2 weeks without any sightings of pine siskins (sick, dead or alive). This is quite a different story from a month ago.

It may help all of us that are following this post to know where sightings are by adding your location when posting. We may see a pattern of their current locations & their migration.

Amanda L Barnett

4/29/2021 01:31:35 pm

Bridget,

This is a great idea. I live in Gainesville, Georgia. I had one little siskin die in my yard on Sunday. April 25, 2021.

It was so sad watching it go. I cried hard over this one. I wish we could provide treatment with coated seeds or something.

My feeders are down for now. I'm trying to upgrade the area beneath the feeders to make it easier to maintain.

Steve

5/1/2021 02:11:33 pm

I live in Dunwoody and was amazed in December when about 50 Pine Siskins showed up and took over my feeder. They’re cute, but they’re bullies. They chase all but the biggest birds away. They also empty a feeder in no time. I started noticing lethargic birds and then found dead birds around the feeder...a couple per week. I took the feeder down for a few weeks and put it back up about a month ago, hoping the siskins were gone. A couple dozen showed up a few days later and are still here. I found two dead this week. I guess the feeder is coming down again. :(

5/1/2021 05:31:46 pm

Steve,

I feel your pain. I put mine back up today - with some upgrades.

I bought four new easy to clean feeders (Droll Yankee). I now have enough to change them out every other day for a week and then clean them on weekends. I used to clean them every couple of weeks. This clearly was wrong.

My husband kindly built a square, stone area under my main feeding station. I'll see if this makes it easier to keep the ground clean. I will now vacuum up and mulch the seed husks and bury them under my husband's yard mulch piles.

As for water, I've long been troubled by bird baths. I don't see how they can stay sanitary unless I clean it after every bird baths and/or drinks or poops. Still, I have them and will now clean them daily with spray bleach. I am very worried about using bleach in my yard, but I will make sure I thoroughly wet the ground where the bleach and water fall.

Feeding birds is not for wimps.

5/1/2021 08:16:32 pm

I live in Covington. I still have 5-10 siskens, but need to get a better count. Not sure if any have left, or if they've passed. Started out with 22 in the fall, had 12 a couple weeks ago. I do think there is less twittering from the treetops, so maybe some have migrated. One remaining bird is bloated looking, but still eating. Another looks very healthy, runs quickly, but is hesitant to fly. This is the 4th bird with this odd behavior. I thought the first was injured, but now I assume it's related to disease. This must be a species that evolved to lose large numbers during disease outbreaks. They cluster, flock, fight; eat seeds from the ground dropped by other birds. The few that survive to migrate home hopefully will be very fit. It has been hard to watch.

Amanda Gary

5/3/2021 02:56:09 pm

I live in Augusta and I have had 2 sick Siskins (puffed up and struggling) in my yard in the past 2 weeks. It is heartbreaking to see and to explain to my 4yr old that the birds aren't just being friendly. We live on a big creek with lots of wooded area. I want to put our feeders back out but I am concerned about attraction of the Siskens. Does anyone know if they have left the area yet? I see most of the conversations and posts are from the Greater Atlanta and surrounding areas? Any news from the Augusta area?

5/3/2021 07:25:54 pm

That's hard, explaining it to your little one. I've not seen any sick ones here in Gainesville, Georgia, in a few days.

A healthy siskin showed up today (May 3, 2021). I'm hoping the worst of the outbreak is behind us.

I sure wish we had a way to treat the illness instead of just trying to scatter the birds. It seems like we are just hiding the problem and starving a bunch of sick birds.

5/3/2021 09:20:47 pm

In west Marietta, I'm happy to report that I've had the feeders up since my last posting on 4/28 and have not had any pine siskin visits. When they were here, I missed seeing the other birds since they pretty much ran them all off the premises. Now all of the cardinals, woodpeckers, wrens, chickadees, finches & bluebirds have returned. I just hope it stays that way and the bird pandemic is winding down.

Kathie White

5/4/2021 09:18:07 am

I live in Lawrenceville and found 4 dead pine siskins in my backyard in the past week or two. I had no idea what was happening until I found out about this today. I’ll be taking my feeders down, cleaning, and keeping them down for a week or so. I haven’t seen any pine siskins at the feeder recently, though.

5/4/2021 09:27:49 pm

Kathie,

I'm hoping this rain helps wash away any remaining bird poop that's contaminated.

It's a very sad situation.

I've had my feeders back up since Saturday and I've only spotted one siskin and it appeared healthy.

I have also seen a few wild goldfinches and I think they are related.

So far, so good. No dead birds.

5/5/2021 12:18:35 pm

I am in Covington. On 5/2, I counted 6 siskens. Yesterday, only 4 showed up. One looks puffy, but is still eating and behaving normally. The others look fine, but since they haven't migrated, I wonder if they are infected.

I actually enjoyed these birds when they seemed healthy. I had 22 at one point. I put out lots of niger feeders and spread my feeders out in different locations. They would move from one to the other, chattering at each other, lots of busy motion.

It is so ironic to take up bird feeding and watching as a diversion from a pandemic, then end up fretting about a bird disease.

I decided to keep feeders up, minimizing transmission as much as possible, after researching salmonellosis in siskens and communicating with an ornithologist at Auburn. Not sure if it was the right call for them. Probably not the right one for me.

One trick I found for bird baths is to buy plastic planter liners in bulk. You can change them daily and sanitize them easily.

I also used these as platform feeders by putting a smaller one upside down in a larger one, and putting seed around the circumference. This prevented the birds from standing in (pooping in) the seed. They had to perch on the edge. (You have to put out a small amount so you can toss it daily or every other day.)

I wasn't able to stop the spread of disease, although there was a period of time with no new infected birds, during which I thought I'd gotten ahead of it. But there must have been silent carriers, or they picked it up fresh from the environment. Many larger birds are able to fight off salmonella (as people do), but still spread it. I wonder if mourning doves might be a vector, as they feed and poop on the ground, and have been found to be able to carry the germ asymptomatically.

Covington is not a dense urban area. We live in a subdivision with an adjoining golf course and there's still lots of countryside and pine forests around. I don't think the small flock we had would have dispersed if I took down feeders. They would likely have traveled together to another yard.

Funny, but my spellcheck keeps wanting to turn siskens into sickens.

5/6/2021 10:37:48 pm

Robin,

I like your tips about the birdbaths.

I actually use the saucers for planters to put out water for little creatures and the birds drink out of those as well. They are much easier to clean. I still have traditional bird baths but increasingly I worry they are not healthy for the birds.

I love the siskins and it breaks my heart to see them suffer. There must be a way to provide treatment. I had one at my feeder today (5/6). It seemed healthy but I changed out the feeder after it left.

I hope the worst of the outbreak is over. Maybe some graduate student of ornithology is studying ways to actually treat the disease.

Here's to better days for us and the birds.

5/16/2021 09:21:15 am

Is anyone still seeing large numbers of pine siskens in the Alpharetta area? My feeders have been down for 3 weeks and I'm reluctant to try them again. I just couldn't bear to see the birds dying

5/16/2021 11:51:33 am

Hi Kat,

I live north of you in Forsyth County off Hwy. 369.

I put my feeders back up a couple of weeks ago and I have not had any birds die in my yard since.

I have seen only a few pine siskins, including one little guy that looked puffy and possibly was sick. I sat on the ground nearby and gave it shelled sunflower seeds. It eventually flew off and I washed down the area and put up a clean feeder.

I've made peace with the fact that I might find more dead birds and I have my plan to clean up the feeders and take them down if needed.

I'm still trying to learn the best way to support the birds (and squirrels and chipmunks!).

I love feeding the birds, but if it turns out I am doing more harm than good, I will stop. I sure hope it doesn't come to that.

All tips are appreciated.
-Amanda Barnett/Gainesville/Forsyth County

Pine Siskin FAQ

Leave a Reply.

Author

Archives

Categories