Wing-snapping Cisticola
NameWing-snapping Cisticola
Common NameWing-snapping Cisticola
Scientific NameCisticola ayresii
FamilyCisticolidae
Wingspan (cm)11
Length (cm)9.5
Weight (g)8
Plumage DetailsUpperparts are streaky brown with darker streaks on a paler buffy-brown background. Underparts are pale, buffy white. It features a pale supercilium above a dark eye stripe, and a relatively short tail.
Vocalization / CallIts most notable vocalization is a series of sharp, mechanical wing-snaps made during display flights. The song is a high-pitched, thin 'tsee-tsee-tsee' or 'tsip-tsip-tsip'.
Primary Dietinsectivore
Primary Habitatsgrassland, savanna
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound in sub-Saharan Africa, with a fragmented distribution across countries including Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Identifying FeaturesVery small size, Streaky brown upperparts and pale underparts, Short tail, Distinctive wing-snapping sound during aerial display, Pale supercilium
Description
The Wing-snapping Cisticola is a very small, streaky brown passerine bird. It is known for its distinctive wing-snapping sound produced during its display flight, often performed high above grasslands. This species is generally inconspicuous when not displaying.
