Cricket Longtail
NameCricket Longtail
Common NameCricket Longtail
Scientific NameSpiloptila clamans
FamilyCisticolidae
Wingspan (cm)11
Length (cm)11.5
Weight (g)7
Plumage DetailsThis species has a rufous-orange crown, a prominent black supercilium and moustachial stripe, and white underparts. Its back and wings are grey, often with some black streaking on the wing coverts, and it possesses a long, graduated tail with white outer feathers.
Vocalization / CallIts vocalization is a distinctive, high-pitched, cricket-like trill or buzzing call, often described as 'trrr-trrr-trrr' or 'tsip-tsip-tsip'.
Primary Dietinsectivore
Primary Habitatsdesert, grassland
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeThe Cricket Longtail is found across the Sahel region of Africa, ranging from Mauritania and Senegal in the west, eastward through Mali, Niger, Chad, Sudan, Eritrea, and Ethiopia.
Identifying FeaturesVery long, graduated tail, Rufous-orange crown, Black facial stripes (supercilium and moustachial), Cricket-like call, Prefers arid thorny scrub habitat
Description
The Cricket Longtail is a small, distinctive warbler characterized by its very long, graduated tail. It typically forages in arid and semi-arid thorny scrubland, often seen in pairs or small groups, actively searching for insects.
