Cape Siskin
Crithagra totta
The Cape Siskin (Crithagra totta) is a rare finches, euphonias, and alli found only in South Africa, weighing about 13 g. The Cape siskin is a small passerine bird in the finch family.
About the Cape Siskin
The Cape siskin is a small passerine bird in the finch family. It is an endemic resident breeder in the southern Cape Province of South Africa.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The Cape siskin averages 13 cm in length. The flight feathers and tail have white spots on the tips which are diagnostic for both sexes, and especially visible in flight. The adult male has a light brown back, wing coverts, rump and upper tail and yellow underparts. The head, nape and sides of neck are yellowish grey and olive. Fine dark brown streaks are most prominent on the head and the sides of the throat. The female is similar but duller; she lacks grey on the head and has more streaking on the face and breast.
Where it lives
When to see it
The Cape Siskin can be seen all year round, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Cape Siskin?
- The Cape siskin averages 13 cm in length. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Cape Siskin?
- The Cape Siskin is a tiny sized bird weighing about 13 g.
- Where can you see a Cape Siskin?
- The Cape Siskin is endemic to South Africa, which is the only country where it occurs.
- What birds look similar to a Cape Siskin?
- The Cape Siskin is most easily confused with the White-bellied Canary, the African Citril and the Reichenow's Seedeater.
- Is the Cape Siskin endangered?
- The Cape Siskin is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Cape Siskin for real
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