Perching Birds

Fire-fronted Serin

Serinus pusillus

Fringillidae Low risk

The red-fronted serin or fire-fronted serin (Serinus pusillus) is a small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae. It prefers high mountain regions and is 11–12 cm (4.3–4.7 in) long.

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In Türkiye

Seasonal status

Summer visitor

Arrives in spring and leaves in autumn; winter records are almost absent.

Most records in May–July.

Where it stands out

NiğdeArtvinAğrıGümüşhaneIsparta

Provinces where it makes up the largest share of bird records.

Records by month

Adjusted for how many birdwatchers are out each month; the busiest month = 100%.

2,557 records from Türkiye · #234 of 634 species by number of records. Source: GBIF.org (October 2026). All birds of Türkiye

About

This bird breeds in the Caucasus and the higher mountains of Turkey and Iran, with vagrants occasionally reaching the Greek Eastern Aegean Islands in winter. This bird is also found in Ladakh and other parts of the Indian Himalayas. Outside the breeding season, it occurs in small flocks, typically seen searching through thistle patches. It is a popular cagebird, and escapees from captivity are occasionally found throughout Europe.

The bird is variable in plumage, with adults resembling very dark redpolls. The foreparts are sooty and the forehead is red; juveniles have buff-brown heads. The call is a rapid, shrill "titihihihihihi", resembling that of a Linnet.

The bird will breed in captivity and thrives on a diet of canary grass seed, millet, and other small seeds. They bathe daily if water is accessible.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)