Carruthers's Cisticola
NameCarruthers's Cisticola
Common NameCarruthers's Cisticola
Scientific NameCisticola carruthersi
FamilyCisticolidae
Wingspan (cm)13
Length (cm)11.5
Weight (g)10
Plumage DetailsFeatures a rufous-chestnut crown and nape, a pale buffy-white supercilium, and a dark loral stripe. Upperparts are greyish-brown with darker streaking on the mantle, while the underparts are whitish. The tail is relatively short and dark brown.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include a high-pitched, buzzing 'zzzzzzzz' or a series of 'chip-chip-chip' notes, often delivered during display flights.
Primary Dietinsectivore
Primary Habitatswetland
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeEndemic to east-central Africa, primarily found in Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly around the Great Lakes region.
Identifying FeaturesRufous crown, Pale supercilium, Short tail, Preference for papyrus swamps
Description
A small, rather plain cisticola characterized by its rufous crown and pale underparts. It is typically found in dense wetland vegetation, particularly papyrus swamps, where it actively forages for insects.
