About the Neddicky
The neddicky, or piping cisticola, is a small passerine bird in the family Cisticolidae, which is native to Africa, southwards of the equator. Its strongholds are the light woodlands and shrublands of the subtropics and temperate regions of southern Africa. The common name, neddicky, is the Afrikaans name for the species.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The neddicky is a small, vocal, dull-coloured brown bird, 11 cm in length. Its tail is not as short as that of some other cisticola species. This bird has a reddish cap and a plain back. The underparts are buff, darker in tone on the breast. The brown bill is short and straight, and the feet and legs are pinkish-brown. The eye is light brown. The sexes are similar, but juvenile birds are yellower. The southern form, found in the southern parts of South Africa, has the face and underpart plumage grey, with the back plumage greyish brown.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Congo - Kinshasa.
When to see it
Peak activity in December · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Rattling CisticolaCisticola chinianaThe rattling cisticola is a species of bird in the family Cisticolidae which is native to Africa south of the equator, and parts of East Africa.
Levaillant's CisticolaCisticola tinniensLevaillant's cisticola is a small, 12–15 cm long, dull-coloured bird with a longish tail and a reddish cap.
Golden-headed CisticolaCisticola exilisThe golden-headed cisticola is a small species, growing to 9–11.5 cm (3.5–4.5 in) long and weighing 6–10 g (0.21–0.35 oz), with males slightly heavier than females.
Side by side: Neddicky vs Zitting Cisticola · Golden-headed Cisticola vs Neddicky · Levaillant's Cisticola vs Neddicky
Learn the Neddicky for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.