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 Garden Route National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Garden Route National Park
Forest Canary
Crithagra scotops
Streaky-headed Seedeater
Crithagra gularis
Brimstone Canary
Crithagra sulphurata
Yellow Canary
Crithagra flaviventris
White-throated Canary
Crithagra albogularis
Yellow-fronted Canary
Crithagra mozambica
Cape Canary
Serinus canicollis
Cape White-eye
Zosterops virens
Fork-tailed Drongo
Dicrurus adsimilis
Sombre Greenbul
Andropadus importunus
Cape Wagtail
Motacilla capensis
Greater Double-collared Sunbird
Cinnyris afer
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 Garden Route National Park?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Cape Siskin sighting in Garden Route National Park, based on 40 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Cape Siskin in Garden Route National Park?
January has the highest sighting rate for Cape Siskin in Garden Route National Park in our monthly data.