Rattling cisticola

Introduction: Rattling cisticolas (Cisticola chiniana) tend to stay in pairs and small family groups especially after breeding. Acacia savannah, bush in open grassland and gardens are their main habitats.

Distribution: Central and northern Namibia including Etosha National Park, Zambezi Region (formerly the Caprivi Strip), Ruacana Falls and Kaudom Park. Prevalent in the Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve.
Diet: Eats insects that lurk low down in bushes or grass such as beetles, weevils, grasshoppers and crickets, ants, snails and termites. The nectar of mountain aloe and spotted aloe are taken.

Description: Greyish-brown upperparts. Forehead, ear, nape and ear coverts buffy brown. Tail rusty brown and underparts buff coloured. So called because of the highly vocal, year-round repetitive, high-pitched notes. Often confused with the tinkling cisticola which has a brighter rufous tail and a larger spread of red colouring on the head.
Breeding: An oval or ball-shaped nest, made of dry grass is bound by spider web. Between 2 and 5 eggs are laid from October to April and incubated for 14 days by the female.

Size: 15cm.

Weight: 15g.