The Cape Siskin lives in montane fynbos and other habitats of southwestern South Africa, where it searches for seeds on the ground.
Adult males have olive-brown backs and yellow breasts and bellies; females are duller, with brown streaking on the breast.
It forages on bare ground, mainly for seeds, but also takes buds, flowers, nectar, and insects. It occurs in pairs, family groups, or flocks.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.