Hooded siskin

Carduelis magellanica

Common name:
hooded siskin (en); pintassilgo-de-cabeça-preta (pt); chardonneret de Magellan (fr); cabecitanegra común (es); Magellanzeisig (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Fringillidae

Range:
This South American species is found in central Venezuela, through eastern Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia and into central and southern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and northern Argentina.

Size:
These birds are 10-14 cm long and weigh 11-15 g.

Habitat:
The hooded siskin is found in dry woodlands and savannas, temperate forests, scrublands, grasslands and plantations, from sea level up to an altitude of 5.000 m.

Diet:
The forage both on the ground and in the vegetation, mainly eating the seeds, buds and leaves of several plant species such as thistles and Lactuca. They also eat some insetcs.

Breeding:
Hooded siskins breed in October-June. The nest is a small cup made by the female with fine plant materials. It is placed on a tall tree-top. There the female lays 2-3 eggs, which she incubates alone for 12-13 days while the male brings her food. The chicks are mainly fed by the female, while the male gathers the food, and fledge about 14 days after hatching. They continue to rely on their parents for a few days after fledging.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is described as common. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.