The Cape Siskin, Serinus totta, is a small passerine bird in the finch family. It is an endemic resident breeder in the southern Cape Province of South Africa. It is sometimes assigned to the genus Pseudochloroptila as Pseudochloroptila totta.
This species is sometimes considered to be conspecific with the Drakensberg Siskin, Serinus symonsi of eastern Cape Province, western Natal and Lesotho in which case the nominate western form is S. t totta,...
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The Cape Siskin, Serinus totta, is a small passerine bird in the finch family. It is an endemic resident breeder in the southern Cape Province of South Africa. It is sometimes assigned to the genus Pseudochloroptila as Pseudochloroptila totta.
This species is sometimes considered to be conspecific with the Drakensberg Siskin, Serinus symonsi of eastern Cape Province, western Natal and Lesotho in which case the nominate western form is S. t totta, and the eastern form is S. t. symonsi.
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 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...
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