Eurasian Siskin
Carduelis spinus
The Eurasian Siskin is a small grain-eater bird, wintering in the Portuguese mainland. Similar to a Serin, it occurs in a varied range of habitats such as in various forests, orchards and gardens.
The scientific name of the Eurasian Siskin has the following meaning: Carduelis is the name of the its genus, the same one that includes birds best known of all of us like the Goldfinch and the Common Linnet; spinus is the specific restrictive and derives from the Greek term spinos, a bird mentioned in the works of Aristophanes.
Text: João E. Rabaça