Antillean Siskin

About the Antillean Siskin

The Antillean siskin (Spinus dominicensis) is a species of bird in the family Fringillidae, the finches and euphonias. It is endemic to the island of Hispaniola that is shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The Antillean siskin has a complicated taxonomic history. It was originally described by Henry Bryant in 1867 with the binomial Chrysomitris dominicensis. Bryant also proposed Loximitris as an alternate genus. It was later moved to what was then the subgenus Spinus within genus Carduelis. Beginning in about 2009 the subgenus was elevated to full genus level and the Antillean siskin, the rest of the New World siskins, and the goldfinches were therefore elevated to now-genus Spinus.

The Antillean siskin is the only member of genus Spinus found in the Caribbean. It is monotypic. The Antillean siskin is 11 to 12 cm (4.3 to 4.7 in) long and weighs about 9 g (0.3 oz). The species is sexually dimorphic. Adult males have a black crown, face, and throat with a narrow bright yellow collar around their neck. Their lower nape, scapulars, and back are light olive-green and their rump and uppertail coverts a brighter olive-yellow. Their tail... Wikipedia →