A vision in vermilion
THE red siskin (Spinus cucullatus) is the only member of the revamped siskin genus Spinus that has red plumage. The remaining 19 species, almost all of which are found in the Americas, have plumage that are various combinations of olive, yellow and black. In the yellow-bellied (S. xanthogastrus), black (S.atratus) and yellow-rumped (S. uropygialis) siskins, males are mostly black and females similar. In some other species, males are distinguished from hens by having black hoods. Others again, such as the male American goldfinch (S. tristis) have a black cap, although in the black-capped siskin (S. atriceps), the black cap is found in both.
A female red siskin is mainly grey, with orange-red on her wings, breast and rump, whereas the male is mainly bright vermilion. When the Spanish colonised South a reference to the ceremonial robes worn by Catholic dignitaries. would have been appropriate for the red siskin, yet it was lumbered with – which means “hooded”. It is one of eight hooded siskins!
