Cape Siskin

The Cape siskin, a small passerine bird belonging to the finch family, is an endemic resident breeder in South Africa's southern Cape Province. This species, Crithagra totta, is a modestly sized bird, averaging 13 cm in length, with distinctive white spots on the tips of its flight feathers and tail, visible during flight.

Identification Tips

The adult male Cape siskin sports a light brown back, wing coverts, rump, and upper tail, with yellow underparts. Its head, nape, and sides of the neck are tinged with yellowish grey and olive, adorned with fine dark brown streaks, particularly noticeable on the head and throat sides. The female resembles the male but is duller, lacking the grey on the head and exhibiting more streaking on the face and breast. Juveniles share a similar appearance to females but are even duller with darker or browner underparts.

Habitat

This species thrives in the rocky slopes, coastal cliffs, and fynbos-covered mountains of the southwestern and southern Cape. It can also be found in urban areas, including the suburbs of Cape Town.

Distribution

The Cape siskin is a local yet common bird within its range, which is restricted to the southern parts of the Cape Province in South Africa.

Behaviour

Often seen in pairs or small flocks, the Cape siskin moves inconspicuously through bushes and scrub as it forages. It is a shy and unobtrusive bird, not easily spotted unless one knows where to look.

Song & Calls

The call of the Cape siskin is a distinctive "voyp-veeyr," frequently given in flight. Its song is a weak but pleasant warble, reminiscent of the yellow-fronted canary.

Breeding

Unique among siskins for its cavity-nesting behavior, the Cape siskin builds a shallow cup nest in rock crevices, on ledges, or amidst vegetation, particularly ferns. Tree hollows are seldom used, but there is a record of nesting in an artificial structure at the old lighthouse at Cape Point. The female constructs the nest with fine plant material, lining it with plant down and animal hair. She lays a clutch of three to four, sometimes five, eggs, which she incubates while being fed by the male through regurgitation.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Cape siskin consists of seeds, buds, and insects, which it searches for in a rather unobtrusive manner.

Conservation status

The Cape siskin is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that, at present, there are no immediate threats to its population numbers.

Similar Species

The Drakensberg siskin is similar in appearance but slightly larger and lacks the white spots on the flight feathers and tail. It also has less uniform upperparts and does not share a range with the Cape siskin.