About the Drakensberg Siskin
The Drakensberg siskin is a small passerine bird in the finch family. It is an endemic resident breeder in the eastern Cape Province Transkei and western Natal in South Africa, and in Lesotho.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The Drakensberg siskin averages 13–14 cm in length. The tail has white sides, a feature which is diagnostic for both sexes, and especially visible in flight. The adult male has a faintly streaked light brown back, light brown wing coverts, rump and upper tail, and yellow underparts. The head and nape sides are yellowish grey and olive. The throat is bright yellow, but the rest of the underparts are a somewhat duller shade. The female has similar but duller upperparts and has no yellow in the plumage. The head and underparts are buff with much fine dark brown streaks on the head and breast.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
When to see it
Peak activity in October · a variable species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Protea CanaryCrithagra leucopteraThe protea canary is 15–16 cm in length with a large pale bill.
Principe SeedeaterCrithagra rufobrunneaThe Príncipe seedeater is a species of finch in the family Fringillidae.
Lemon-breasted CanaryCrithagra citrinipectusAlthough their common name would indicate that each lemon-breasted canary indeed has a yellow throat/chest, this is not the case between males and females, making them easy to differentiate.
Learn the Drakensberg Siskin for real
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