Drakensberg siskin (Crithagra symonsi)
The Drakensberg siskin is a small, rather dull, canary-like bird. The crown and nape are dull olive green streaked with brown, while the wings are olive-brown. The underparts are yellowish-green shading to brown on the undertail. The tail shows diagnostic white outer retrices in flight. The female differs by having no green or yellow coloration at all, having darker streaking in the general plumage with distinct streaking on the throat. The Drakensberg siskin, a southern African endemic, is an inhabitant of montane heathlands, shrublands and grasslands above 2 000m. Such habitat occurs all along the Lesotho – KwaZulu-Natal escarpment, and the most accessible site to see these birds is towards the top of Sani Pass. The birds forage in pairs or small flocks on the ground among rocks and low vegetation, and are rather inconspicuous until they flush, when the white outer tail feathers identify them as Drakensberg siskins. The Drakensberg siskin has been listed as Least Concern.
Directions
From Underberg take the road to Himeville, pass through the village of Himeville and continue along this road for 2 km's before turning left to Sani Pass. Follow the road past the Sani Pass Hotel and on towards the border post. Sani Pass is only accessible by 4x4 vehicles and the border post is open strictly from 08h00 – 16h00, passports are required. Once through the Lesotho border post at the top of Sani Pass, keep a lookout for the siskins as they are regularly seen around the buildings associated with the border post, or at the nearby Sani Top chalets.
| GPS Coordinates | ||
| Description | Latitude | Longitude |
| Turnoff to Sani Pass outside Homeville | 29°43'12.54"S | 29°31'17.53"E |
| SA Border post | 29°36'11.49"S | 29°20'22.24"E |
| Lesotho Border post | 29°35'04.64"S | 29°17'09.85"E |