A photo of a Croaking Cisticola (Cisticola natalensis)
Croaking Cisticola

Croaking Cisticola

Cisticola natalensis

The croaking cisticola (Cisticola natalensis) is an Old World warbler in the family Cisticolidae. It is a resident breeder in Africa south of the Sahara. The croaking cisticola is an insectivorous passerine that is found in rank grassland habitats, often near swamps or water. Male cisticolas are polygamous; the female builds a discreet nest deep in the grasses, often binding living leaves into the soft fabric of felted plant-down, cobwebs, and grass. The croaking cisticola's nest is a ball shape with a side entrance; 2-4 eggs are laid. This is the largest cisticola. This warbler is grey-brown above, heavily streaked with black. The underparts are whitish, and the tail is broad, pale-tipped and flicked frequently. It has a chestnut wing-panel and a heavy bill. It is very similar to other members of its genus. It is best distinguished from its many African relatives by its size and froglike croaking breep-breep song. The song is always the easiest identification criterion for this genus. These birds are more easily heard than seen, and because of their small size (about 14 cm) not always easy to recognise, particularly outside the breeding season when they seldom emerge from their grasses.
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Croaking Cisticolas on Birda

Photos

Sightings

A map showing the sighting location
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Clive 'SafariFamily' Curtis
Thursday 16 Mar 2023 - 9:32am
South Africa
A map showing the sighting location
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Mark Beckermann
Sunday 05 Mar 2023 - 6:26am
South Africa
A map showing the sighting location
🦢
Mark Beckermann
Tuesday 31 Jan 2023 - 12:26pm
South Africa
A map showing the sighting location
🦢
Roelof van der Breggen
Thursday 05 Jan 2023 - 12:16pm
South Africa
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