Drakensberg siskin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Drakensberg siskin |
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| A male | |
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| A female at Sani Pass | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Crithagra
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| Species: |
symonsi
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| General range: the Drakensberg alti-montane grasslands | |
| Synonyms | |
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Serinus symonsi |
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The Drakensberg siskin (Crithagra symonsi) is a small bird from the finch family. It lives only in the Drakensberg mountains of South Africa and Lesotho. This bird is a type of passerine, which means it's a perching bird.
Some scientists think the Drakensberg siskin might be the same species as the Cape siskin. The Cape siskin lives in a different part of South Africa.
This bird is quite common in its home, but it is also shy. You can find it in the valleys and hillsides of the Drakensberg mountains. It likes areas with lots of bushes and scrub.
Contents
What is a Drakensberg Siskin?
The Drakensberg siskin is a small bird, usually about 13 to 14 centimeters (5 to 5.5 inches) long. It has special white parts on its tail. You can see these white parts easily when the bird flies. This helps you tell it apart from other birds.
How to Spot a Male Siskin
Adult male siskins have a light brown back with faint streaks. Their wings and upper tail are also light brown. Their belly is yellow. The sides of their head and neck are yellowish-grey and olive green. Their throat is a bright yellow, but the rest of their yellow underside is a bit duller.
How to Spot a Female Siskin
Female siskins look similar to males but are not as colorful. They have duller upper parts and no yellow feathers. Their head and belly are buff-colored. They have many fine dark brown streaks on their head and chest. Young siskins look a lot like the females, but with even more streaks.
Drakensberg Siskin Sounds
The Drakensberg siskin often makes a sound like "schwee" when it flies. Its song is soft and pleasant. It sounds a bit like the song of the yellow-fronted canary.
Drakensberg Siskin Behavior
Drakensberg siskins are usually seen in pairs or small groups. They move quietly through bushes and scrub. They look for seeds, buds, and insects to eat. They especially like seeds from protea plants.
How Drakensberg Siskins Breed
The Drakensberg siskin is special because it is the only siskin that builds its nest in holes or cracks. They make a shallow cup-shaped nest. They build it in cracks in rocks, in holes, or on ledges. Sometimes they build it among plants like ferns. They rarely use hollows in trees.
The female bird builds the nest. She uses fine plant material and lines it with soft plant down and animal hair. She usually lays three or four eggs, but sometimes five. The female sits on the eggs to keep them warm. The male bird brings her food by regurgitating it for her.
