Cape Siskin
Crithagra totta
Silhouette: Sheatherius · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
- FamilyFringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
- GenusCrithagra (African Seedeaters, Serins, Canaries, and Citrils)
- SpeciesCrithagra totta (Cape Siskin)
About the Cape Siskin
The Cape siskin (Crithagra totta) is a small passerine bird in the finch family. It is an endemic resident breeder in the southern Cape Province of South Africa. This locally common but shy and unobtrusive siskin is found in the southwestern and southern Cape's rocky slopes, coastal cliffs and fynbos-covered mountains. It also occurs in towns and the suburbs of Cape Town.
The Cape siskin was formerly placed in the genus Serinus but phylogenetic analysis using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences found that the genus was polyphyletic. The genus was therefore split and a number of species including the Cape siskin were moved to the resurrected genus Crithagra.
The Cape siskin is closely related to the Drakensberg siskin, and the two have sometimes been treated as conspecific. 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... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Cape Siskin in Addo Elephant National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Addo Elephant National Park
Brimstone Canary
Crithagra sulphurata
Streaky-headed Seedeater
Crithagra gularis
Yellow-fronted Canary
Crithagra mozambica
White-throated Canary
Crithagra albogularis
Protea Canary
Crithagra leucoptera
Yellow Canary
Crithagra flaviventris
Forest Canary
Crithagra scotops
Black-throated Canary
Crithagra atrogularis
Cape Canary
Serinus canicollis
Black-headed Canary
Serinus alario
Southern Fiscal
Lanius collaris
Fork-tailed Drongo
Dicrurus adsimilis
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Table Mountain National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 2 | Garden Route National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 3 | Addo Elephant National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Cape Siskin in Addo Elephant National Park?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Cape Siskin sighting in Addo Elephant National Park, based on 8 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Cape Siskin in Addo Elephant National Park?
December has the highest sighting rate for Cape Siskin in Addo Elephant National Park in our monthly data.