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.

The adult male has a light brown back, wing coverts, rump and upper tail and yellow underparts.

There is no range overlap with the slightly larger Drakensberg siskin, which lacks the white spots on the flight feathers and tail and has less uniform upperparts.

A shallow cup nest is constructed in cracks or holes in rocks, on ledges or amongst vegetation, especially ferns.

The Cape siskin is seen in pairs or small flock, moving unobtrusively through bushes and scrub as it forages for seeds, buds and insects.