New York · Year-round resident

Pine Siskins in New York

When pine siskins are present in New York, when they nest, which native New York plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3b–7b yard.

Finches (Fringillidae)Pine SiskinSpinus pinus

Status in New York: Year-round resident
Nesting window: April–June
Broods: 1–2 per season
Hardiness zones: USDA 3b–7b

When to expect pine siskins in New York

Pine Siskins live in New York all year. Long, snowy winters upstate; lake-effect snow belts make feeders and roost boxes important. 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, from cold Adirondack highlands to the maritime-moderated coast of Long Island.

Nesting in New York

Across New York, pine siskins typically nest from April–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.

Warm summers with a shorter nesting season upstate than downstate.

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

Native New York plants that attract pine siskins

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

Eastern white pine

Pinus strobus · Tree

Seeds and year-round shelter.

Black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta · Perennial

Fall seed.

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.

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 hemlock

Tsuga canadensis · Tree

Small cones for siskins and chickadees; dense winter roosting.

Feeding pine siskins through the New York year

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

Best foods: Nyjer, Hulled sunflower.
In New York's winter: Long, snowy winters upstate; lake-effect snow belts make feeders and roost boxes important.

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

Frequently asked

Are pine siskins in New York year-round?

Yes. Pine Siskins are year-round residents in New York.

When do pine siskins nest in New York?

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

What native plants attract pine siskins in New York?

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

Other backyard birds in New York

Northern Cardinal Eastern Bluebird Black-capped Chickadee Purple Martin Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker American Goldfinch Tufted Titmouse White-breasted Nuthatch House Wren Blue Jay House Finch Purple Finch Ruby-throated Hummingbird Carolina Wren Mourning Dove American Robin Dark-eyed Junco White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Red-bellied Woodpecker Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Red-headed Woodpecker Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Common Grackle Red-winged Blackbird Baltimore Oriole Orchard Oriole Rose-breasted Grosbeak Evening Grosbeak Common Redpoll Indigo Bunting Eastern Towhee Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird Brown Thrasher Cedar Waxwing Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Eastern Phoebe Chimney Swift Yellow-rumped Warbler Pine Warbler Eastern Screech-Owl Wood Thrush Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird American Tree Sparrow House Sparrow European Starling Canada Jay Fox Sparrow

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.