Whistling Cisticola

The Whistling Cisticola, Cisticola lateralis, is a mid-sized avian member of the Cisticolidae family, with a body length ranging from 13 to 16 centimeters. Males typically weigh between 14 and 21 grams, while females are slightly lighter at 12 to 19 grams.

Identification Tips

During the breeding season, male Whistling Cisticolas can be identified by their gray-brown cheeks, sooty-brown crown, and underparts, with a tail of similar hue. Their plumage is predominantly dark brown with reddish-brown accents, and they sport a white throat, black bill, and dull pink legs. Outside of the breeding season, males exhibit a more reddish-brown plumage with a richer buff below and a gray breast. Females tend to have paler feathers, a more brownish bill, and a slender build compared to males. Juvenile birds are slimmer than adults, with yellowish underparts and brown bills tinged with yellow, some displaying bright red underparts. The antinorii subspecies is paler brown with a fluffier build and does not undergo seasonal plumage changes, while the modestus subspecies is smaller, redder, and has a gray-brown crown.

Habitat

The Whistling Cisticola inhabits a variety of environments including subtropical or tropical dry forests, dry savannas, and moist savannas.

Distribution

This species boasts a broad distribution across Africa, found in countries such as Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, Uganda, and Zambia.

Behaviour

Whistling Cisticolas are known to forage and hunt predominantly in family groups or other social gatherings, seldom seen alone.

Diet and Feeding

Their diet consists mainly of insects and other invertebrates, including termites, beetles, grasshoppers, bugs, and spiders. They extract nutrients from various vegetation, often close to the ground.

Breeding

Males of this species are polygamous and exhibit solitary, territorial breeding behaviors. They sing from elevated perches to attract females and may engage in display flights. Females construct discreet, ovular nests with side entrances, using dry grass and living leaves bound with cobwebs and camouflaged with additional leaves. Nests are typically situated 0.2 to 0.6 meters above the ground. Clutches usually contain 2 to 3 eggs, with both parents involved in feeding the chicks.

Conservation status

The Whistling Cisticola is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, with a stable population trend and a large range that does not meet the thresholds for vulnerability.