The ashy cisticola is a species of bird in the family Cisticolidae. It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, and Tanzania. Its natural habitats are dry savanna, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, and subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland.
Region
Horn of Africa and East Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs from southeastern South Sudan and Ethiopia through Somalia and into eastern Kenya and northern Tanzania. Prefers dry savannas, open shrub-steppe, and dry lowland grasslands with scattered bushes. Often found in overgrazed or recently burned areas where low vegetation creates foraging edges. Uses roadside verges, fallows, and lightly cultivated margins provided there is enough grass cover. Avoids dense forest and very wet habitats.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A small warbler of open, dry country, the ashy cisticola often reveals itself by a brisk tail-flick and a buzzy display song delivered from a grass stem or brief song-flight. It is adept at disappearing into tussocky grass, relying on cryptic plumage. Pairs defend territories during the breeding season and weave neat, grass-lined cup nests stitched with spider silk.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief fluttering song-flights
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, keeping low in grass and shrubs. Pairs maintain small territories during breeding, with males performing display flights while singing. The nest is a small, domed or cup-shaped structure sewn into grass using spider silk and fine fibers.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a dry, buzzy trill or series of high, insect-like notes, often delivered from a perch or during a short display flight. Calls include sharp tsip or tchk notes used in contact and alarm.
Plumage
Mostly uniform ashy-grey upperparts with a paler grey face and throat, blending to buffy or whitish underparts. Wings show warmer rufous-brown tones with darker feather centers. Tail short and slightly graduated, dark with paler or whitish outer edges and tips.
Diet
Feeds mainly on small insects such as grasshoppers, beetles, ants, termites, and caterpillars, as well as other tiny arthropods. Gleans prey from grass stems and low shrubs, and occasionally makes short sallies to catch flying insects. Forages methodically at low heights, often flicking its tail while searching.
Preferred Environment
Forages in open, dry grasslands, lightly shrubby savanna, and the edges of scrub. Frequently uses recently burned patches and grazed areas where prey is more exposed but some cover remains.
