Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...

Grey-backed Cisticola

Cisticola subruficapilla

The Grey-backed Cisticola, also known as the Red-headed Cisticola, is a diminutive and rather inconspicuous avian species. Measuring a modest 13-14 cm in length, this bird is characterized by its dark rufous crown atop its reddish head, a rufous panel within its folded wing, and a light brown eye that adds a touch of warmth to its otherwise muted appearance. Its bill is a subtle grey, short and straight, while its feet and legs are of a soft pinkish-brown hue.

Identification Tips

To identify the Grey-backed Cisticola, look for the distinctive grey back with pronounced black streaks found in the southern form, which resides in southern Namibia and South Africa. The underparts are a pale greyish white, setting it apart from its northern counterpart, which sports a brown back with black streaks and cold buff underparts. The juvenile birds can be recognized by their duller plumage and a yellowish face. Both sexes are similar in appearance.

Habitat

This species thrives in the coastal fynbos, karoo shrub, and grassy areas on estuarine flats, where it has adapted to a life amidst the dense vegetation.

Distribution

The Grey-backed Cisticola is a resident breeder in the southernmost reaches of Angola, across Namibia, and into the western expanses of South Africa.

Behaviour

A creature of habit, the Grey-backed Cisticola constructs a spherical nest with a cleverly positioned side entrance, utilizing dry grass, cobwebs, and plant down that has been felted together. It is often observed either in pairs or as solitary individuals, darting about in the underbrush or at the base of trees in pursuit of small insects.

Song & Calls

The vocal repertoire of this bird includes a soft 'prrrrt' followed by a more emphatic 'wheee phweee', a call that is as distinctive as it is charming.

Similar Species

The Grey-backed Cisticola can be confused with the Wailing Cisticola, Cisticola lais, of eastern South Africa. However, the latter can be distinguished by its warmer buff underparts and non-overlapping range.

Diet and Feeding

This bird is an active forager, flitting through its habitat in search of small insects to sustain itself.

Conservation status

The Grey-backed Cisticola is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with an estimated range of 820,000 km² and a population size considered to be large. There is no current evidence to suggest significant population declines that would warrant a higher level of concern.

Grey-backed Cisticola Sounds



Recorded by: © 
App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Grey-backed Cisticolas on Birda

Photos
Sightings

More Cisticolas & Allies

A photo of a Yellow-breasted Apalis (Apalis flavida)

Yellow-breasted Apalis

Apalis flavida
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Anonymous
The best bird logging app
Birda is honestly the best bird logging app I have seen. I love all the features it has from being able to do a session and log all the birds you see in one sitting, to being able to connect with other birders from all over the globe!
Ellesse_W
Learning Birding with Birda
I’m relatively new to birding as a hobby, and Birda is a great way to keep track off all the species I see. I’m still working on my ID skills, but the app is great for figuring out potential species, and the online community is so friendly and helpful. Definitely recommend Birda to both early and serious birders! 🐦
Marlster24
Recommend for any bird watcher
Very wholesome app: I joined this app with a new interest in watching birds to help me find out what I was spotting. The community is very active in helping identify birds which is great and everyone is very kind so it’s just a nice wholesome community. I would definitely recommend this for any bird spotter 😃
Alex J
Friendly and helps to identify birds
Great birding app, good for logging your sightings, also has nice species guide. I'm enjoying the social aspect more than I expected, everyone seems friendly and helps to identify unknown birds. Good mix of newbies and experienced users.
Dunners12345
Great App
Great app to use for logging and communicating with others who are interested in birds
Foxgirl100
Great app for beginner twitchers
I’ve had a passion of photographing birds for a long time now but have only just gotten into proper birdwatching, and this app is brilliant for those just getting started. There is a great sense of community among users and the app is very easy to use and professional. Awesome app altogether
Birdafan
Ideal Birdwatch Companion
Simply adds to the enjoyment of my birdwatching and helps me record what I’ve seen.
Robred 2
Fun way to add to your birdwatching experience
I enjoy watching birds in my backyard, but this app helped me really pay attention while on vacation this summer. It was fun to add new birds to my bird watching app.
Alice J
Awesome Birding Community
I absolutely love the community aspect of this app. The app is so user friendly and has fun interactive challenges to get you out birding. I’ve tried others but since I’ve started using Birda I’ve not gone back!
Abi.M
Awesome App
I really enjoy using this app! It is such a friendly community of bird-lovers who are happy to help if I need ID advice. It’s been great motivation to get outdoors and go birding more! 10/10 😍😍
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.