This is the holotype, an adult male, collected by J. A. Sillem on 7 September 1929 at Camp 58 of the Netherlands' Karakorum Expedition 1929-1930, at Kushku Maidan (35°26'N, 78°13'E, 5125 m, W Tibetan plateau, in an area disputed by India and China). For more information and a 3D view of the specimen visit the website of the Zoölogisch Museum Amsterdam.

Only known from two specimens - an adult male and a juvenile male. Described as a new species in Roselaar, C.S., (1992) Leucosticte sillemi nov. spec., a new species of mountain finch from western Tibet. Bull. Brit. Orn. Club 112: 225-231.