Maine · Year-round resident

Pine Siskins in Maine

When pine siskins are present in Maine, when they nest, which native Maine plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3b–6b yard.

Finches (Fringillidae)Pine SiskinSpinus pinus

Status in Maine: Year-round resident
Nesting window: May–June
Broods: 1–2 per season
Hardiness zones: USDA 3b–6b

When to expect pine siskins in Maine

Pine Siskins live in Maine all year. Long, snowy winters; boreal finches and Pine Grosbeaks irrupt south in poor cone years. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward spruce, birch and alder seed.

Humid continental with a long, rocky Atlantic coast and extensive northern spruce-fir forest.

Nesting in Maine

Across Maine, pine siskins typically nest from May–June. Nest site: shallow cup far out on a conifer branch. Females lay 3–5 eggs, incubate for 13 days, and young leave the nest after 14–15 days.

Cool, short summers; many songbirds do not begin nesting until late May.

Pine Siskins don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as eastern red cedar, eastern white pine, eastern hemlock for nest sites.
Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after June.

Native Maine plants that attract pine siskins

Of the regional native plants we track for Maine, these 8 provide food or cover pine siskins use:

Eastern red cedar

Juniperus virginiana · Tree

Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter.

Wild bergamot

Monarda fistulosa · Perennial

Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.

Black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta · Perennial

Prolific seed heads for finches and sparrows.

New England aster

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae · Perennial

Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.

Little bluestem

Schizachyrium scoparium · Perennial

Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos.

Tall goldenrod

Solidago altissima · Perennial

Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.

Eastern white pine

Pinus strobus · Tree

Seed-rich cones and year-round shelter.

Eastern hemlock

Tsuga canadensis · Tree

Small cones for siskins and chickadees; dense winter roosting.

Feeding pine siskins through the Maine year

Siskins are prone to salmonella outbreaks at crowded feeders — clean tube feeders weekly during irruptions.

Best foods: Nyjer, Hulled sunflower.
In Maine's winter: Long, snowy winters; boreal finches and Pine Grosbeaks irrupt south in poor cone years.

Full diet breakdown for pine siskins · Best feeder for pine siskins

Frequently asked

Are pine siskins in Maine year-round?

Yes. Pine Siskins are year-round residents in Maine.

When do pine siskins nest in Maine?

Nesting in Maine typically runs May–June, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 3–5 eggs, incubated for 13 days.

What native plants attract pine siskins in Maine?

Eastern red cedar, Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, New England aster, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod, Eastern white pine, Eastern hemlock are native plants in Maine that provide food or cover for pine siskins.

Sources

Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.