Luapula cisticola

Introduction: Luapula cisticolas (Cisticola luapula) were first recorded on the Luapula River in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). In the non-breeding season they inhabit reedbeds and growth peculiar to lakes, rivers and the edges of marshes, usually singly or in pairs.

Distribution: North-central and north-east Namibia mainly from Rundu east along the Caprivi Strip including the Kwando River and Chobe/Zambezi River systems. Abundant in the Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve.
Diet: As it keeps low in vegetation at the edges of swamps, their diet is unknown.

Description: Greyish-black back. Often confused with the longer tailed chirping cisticola.
Breeding: An oval dry grass nest, built mainly by the female, is where 2 or 3 eggs will be laid in either April or November. Incubation is for around 12 or 13 days.

Size: 13cm.

Weight: 12g.