Tinkling Cisticola

The Tinkling Cisticola, also known as the Grey Cisticola, is a charming bird belonging to the family Cisticolidae. Its scientific name is Cisticola rufilatus, a species first described by Hartlaub in 1870.

Identification Tips

This small, inconspicuous bird can be identified by its greyish-brown plumage, which provides excellent camouflage in its dry savannah habitat. It is important to note that the name Tinkling Cisticola is sometimes used to refer to Levaillant's Cisticola (Cisticola tinniens), a different species.

Habitat

The natural habitat of the Tinkling Cisticola is the dry savannah, a landscape characterized by grasslands with scattered trees and shrubs, providing the bird with ample cover and foraging opportunities.

Distribution

The Tinkling Cisticola graces the skies and savannahs of several African countries, including Angola, Botswana, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Conservation status

The species is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that, for now, the Tinkling Cisticola is not at immediate risk of decline across its range.