Cape Siskin
Crithagra totta
Cape mountain slopes. Dark brown above with streaky crown; dull yellow below; female has streaky breast.
Buntings, Canaries, Siskins
LC
Endemic
Description
Common, localised endemic resident. Male told from male of [Drakensberg Siskin] mainly by white tips to primary feathers and tail. Immature resembles female. The call is a high-pitched, metallic ‘tchwing, tchwing, tchwing, tchwing’; also calls ‘pitchee’ during each dip of its pronouncedly undulating flight. Pairs and small parties occur on fynbos-covered mountain slopes, or in valleys and forest clearings. Feeds on the ground and in bushes, but is shy.
Quick Facts
Size
13 cm - S
Names
A: Kaapse Pietjiekanarie
G: Hottentottengirlitz
Bird Family
Sparrow-sized or smaller songbirds. Canaries and siskins have strong conical bills, usually notched tails and undulating flight. Buntings are strongly terrestrial and have weaker, narrower bills. Many species are nomadic.
Distribution
Gallery
Behaviour
Breeding
Habitat
Pairs and small parties occur on 'fynbos'-covered mountain slopes, or in valleys and 'forest' clearings.
