A lot of bird species look very similar to other bird species. But when it comes to the pine siskin and house finch species, the similarities are incredibly striking. But, with a few guidelines on the differences between the two, anyone will be able to tell the two types of birds apart. On this pine siskin vs. house finch comparison, I will discuss their slight differences in size, color, shape, flight, behavior, and more.
Here’s a tabled list of their differences to help you determine the differences between the two birds.
| Pine Siskin | House Finch | |
| Size | 5 to 5.5 inches in length | 5.1 to 5.5 inches in length |
| 7 to 8.7 inches wingspan | 7.9 to 9.8 inches wingspan | |
| 12 to 18 grams in weight | 16 to 27 grams in weight | |
| Shape | Slender | Round |
| Color Variations | Predominantly brown
Light brown streaked with dark brown Throat and chest are white with brown streaks Yellow bands near the edge of wings and tail |
Predominantly red, orange, or yellow
Light red face, crown, forehead, throat, and breast Females are grayish-brown with no distinct markings |
| Flight Pattern | Smooth flight
Glides with wings outstretched with quick-beats in between |
Rapid flight
Quick beats of the wings with outstretched glides in between |
| Behavior | Very aggressive and territorial around food sources
Forages in tight flocks |
Friendly
Moves in smaller flocks |
Contents
Pine Siskin vs. House Finch – Tell Them Apart
Size
Let’s begin by examining the sizes of the two bird species. Pine siskins grow to an average of 4 to 5.5 inches in length. They weigh from 12 to 18 grams, and their wingspan ranges from 7 to 8.7 inches wide.
House finches are very slightly bigger than pine siskins in general. They grow to around 5.1 to 5.5 inches long, and their wingspans range from 7.9 inches to 9.8 inches. And they weigh 16 to 27 grams on average.
It can still be challenging to tell pine siskins and house finches apart, judging by their size alone. So we must move on to other categories of comparison.
Color
The color variations between the two birds yield more distinct differences. Pine siskins are the least colorful of all other finches; it is brown and streaked (light brown streaked with dark brown). Its breast and throat are predominantly white but with brown streaks. And its head is filled with concentrated dark brown feathers.
But its most distinct and identifying color is the yellow accent on the edge of its wings and tail. The yellow markings on its wings and tail are most visible when the bird is in flight. They also display their yellow bands when seeking a mate. The yellow line indicates the hierarchal rank of the bird among its fellows.
The house finch has a very unique color – especially the males. The male house finch molts its feathers two times a year at most. And when it molts, its color also changes based on its diet. The possible colors of a house finch can be red, orange, or even yellow.
The male house finch has a light red face and breast. Its crown, forehead, and throat are red. The females are gray with brown streaks across their bodies. They have no distinct markings.
Flight
As I already mentioned above, you will see the yellow bands on the wings and tail of the siskin pine when it flies. But there is another identifying trait of the siskin when in flight: its tail is forked.
Additionally, the flight of the pine siskin is very smooth. It will beat its wings rapidly then glide with the wings outstretched.
On the other hand, house finches fly swiftly. They also beat their wings rapidly and glide with wings outstretched, but they spend more time beating their wings than pine siskins do.
Other Physical Traits
Other points of comparison between the two species are in their appearance. The beak of a pine siskin is cone-shaped, and the beak of a house finch is also cone-shaped. However, the house finch’s beak is significantly shorter and more rounded. On the other hand, the pine siskin’s beak is almost sharp.
While both birds have brown eyes, the house finch has very deep brown eyes – almost black. Also, the house finch looks more rounded in its overall shape than the pine siskin. So, even if the two birds are very similar in size, their shape is not.
Behavior
Even outside of the breeding season, pine siskins can be highly territorial and aggressive. They forage in very tight flocks, and if another flock goes near their food source, they become noisy and threatening.
On the other hand, house finches are significantly calmer. They also stay in flocks, but their groups are smaller than a flock of pine siskins. One way to describe house finches is that they are friendly.
Our Last Word
So, pine siskin vs. house finch – how do you tell them apart. For me, the most effective method is by looking at their colors, other physical traits, and behavior. The two birds are very similar in size and flight pattern; it’s hard to tell them apart through those means.