Zitting Cisticola
Cisticola juncidis
The Zitting Cisticola (Cisticola juncidis) is a common cisticola found in 98 countries, weighing about 7 g. The zitting cisticola, formerly also fan-tailed warbler or streaked fantail warbler, is a widely distributed Old World warbler in the family Cisticolidae, whose breeding range includes western and southern Europe, Africa outside the deserts and rainforest, and southern Asia down to northern Australia.
About the Zitting Cisticola
The zitting cisticola, formerly also fan-tailed warbler or streaked fantail warbler, is a widely distributed Old World warbler in the family Cisticolidae, whose breeding range includes western and southern Europe, Africa outside the deserts and rainforest, and southern Asia down to northern Australia. A small bird found mainly in grasslands, it is best identified by its rufous rump; in addition it lacks any gold on the collar and the brownish tail is tipped with white. During the breeding season males have a zigzagging flight display accompanied by regular "zit" calls that give it its English name. They build their pouch nest suspended within a clump of grass.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The zitting cisticola is 10 to 12 cm (3.9 to 4.7 in) in length. It is brown above, heavily streaked with black markings. The underparts are whitish, and the tail is broad, white-tipped and flicked frequently, giving rise to the alternative name for the species. The adult males have less crown streaking and more back marking than the females, but there are no great differences between the sexes or the 17 geographical subspecies. The absence of a nuchal collar separates it from the golden-headed cisticola (Cisticola exilis).
What the Zitting Cisticola sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Sweden, United Kingdom, Luxembourg, Chad, Somalia, Equatorial Guinea, San Marino.
When to see it
The Zitting Cisticola can be seen all year round, with peak activity in April. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Zitting Cisticola?
- The zitting cisticola is 10 to 12 cm (3.9 to 4.7 in) in length. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Zitting Cisticola?
- The Zitting Cisticola is a tiny sized bird weighing about 7 g.
- Where can you see a Zitting Cisticola?
- The Zitting Cisticola occurs in 98 countries, including Spain, Portugal, France, India and South Africa.
- What does a Zitting Cisticola sound like?
- You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Zitting Cisticola on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Zitting Cisticola?
- The Zitting Cisticola is most easily confused with the Golden-headed Cisticola, the Rattling Cisticola and the Neddicky.
- Is the Zitting Cisticola endangered?
- The Zitting Cisticola is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Zitting Cisticola 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.
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