Pine siskins (Carduelis pinus) are by far the most numerous species at the feeder. At times there may be between 30 and 40 individuals in the yard! They form loose colonies when nesting and continue foraging in a group during the nesting season. The birds are not always nice to each other though... there are regular fights over food and perches both between pine siskins and between pine siskins and other species. I was photographing a pine siskin sitting on a branch when a house finch landed close by. I happened to capture the immediate reaction of the pine siskin on the image below. I am not sure though if this behavior is plain aggression or perhaps a defensive display at a perceived threat from a larger sized bird. Click here for other recent images of pine siskins.

Like Marcel Huijser Photography on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/marcelhuijserphotography

All content © 2012 Marcel Huijser

Pine siskin (Carduelis pinus), scolding a house finch that just landed, Missoula, Montana, USA