Siskins in Switzerland
When the Siskin (Spinus spinus) is present in Switzerland, when it nests, and which native Switzerland plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in Switzerland
- Resident all year
- Nesting season
- April–June
- Size
- 12 cm, 13 g
- Nest box
- Does not use enclosed boxes
When to expect siskins in Switzerland
The Siskin lives in Switzerland all year round. Snowy winters in the mountains; milder on the Swiss plateau and around the lakes.
Temperate-continental in the plateau, Alpine in the mountains.
Nesting in Switzerland
In Switzerland the Siskin usually nests April–June. Nest site: cup high in conifers. Clutches are 3–5 eggs, incubated for 12 days; chicks fledge after 13–15 days, and pairs raise 2 per year.
- The Siskin does not use enclosed nest boxes — dense native shrubs and climbers give it nest sites.
- Avoid cutting hedges during the nesting season (roughly March to August) — in the UK, disturbing an active nest is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Native Switzerland plants for siskins
Of the native plants we track for Switzerland, these 6 provide food the Siskin uses:
Goldfinches extract the seeds from standing heads in autumn and winter.
Catkin seed for Siskins and Redpolls; many caterpillars for tit broods.
Cones hold seed that Siskins and Goldfinches feed on all winter.
Pine seed for Coal Tits, Crested Tits and Crossbills.
Cone seed for Siskins and Coal Tits; Goldcrest nesting habitat.
Berry-like cones taken by thrushes in winter.
Feeding in the garden
Alder, birch and conifer seed.
- Best foods: Nyjer, Sunflower hearts.
- Feeders: Nyjer feeder, Tube feeder.
- Often arrives in late winter when natural seed runs low.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
Are siskins in Switzerland all year?
Yes — the Siskin is resident in Switzerland all year.
When do siskins nest in Switzerland?
Typically April–June. Clutches are 3–5 eggs, incubated for 12 days, with 2 per year.
Which native plants help siskins in Switzerland?
Teasel, Silver birch, Alder, Scots pine, Norway spruce, Juniper are native to Switzerland and provide food or cover the Siskin uses.
Siskins in other countries
Other garden birds in Switzerland
Sources
- Siskin — RSPB bird guide
- Siskin — BTO BirdFacts
- Swiss Breeding Bird Atlas — Swiss Ornithological Institute
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.