From Opus

Cisticola natalensis

Photo by Alan Manson.
Umkomaas Valley, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

[edit] Identification

Length 15 cm. Heavy for a Cisticola; males 25 g, females 18 g. The crown and back are buffy brown with dark streaks and the flight feathers are brown, fringed rufous. The underparts are pale buff, and the legs and feet are pinkish brown. The dark bill is heavy and the eyes are brown.

The call, heavy build and large bill are useful diagnostic features.

[edit] Distribution

Sub-Saharan Africa. Generally resident; some populations move seasonally.

[edit] Taxonomy

There are nine subspecies, based on variation in the colouration and streaking of the upperparts, but most are poorly differentiated.

[edit] Habitat

Open grassland and savanna; prefers rank vegetation.

[edit] Behaviour

Usually solitary. Inconspicuous and shy, except when calling (often from a prominent perch) in the breeding season. Forages low in vegetation or on the ground, mainly for invertebrates, but also for seeds.

[edit] Vocalisation

The call is distinctive; a loud croak "q-RRRRP" which is about 1 second long, repeated every 2 seconds.

[edit] References

1. Hockey, PAR, WRJ Dean, and PG Ryan, eds. 2005. Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa. 7th ed. Cape Town: John Voelcker Bird Book Fund. ISBN 978-0620340533

• List of references

[edit] External Links

• View more images of this species on the African Bird Image Database.