The black-tailed cisticola is a species of bird in the family Cisticolidae found in Angola and Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its natural habitat is dry savanna and the canopy of smaller trees. It forages for insects both in the canopy and on the ground.
Region
Central Africa
Typical Environment
It occurs primarily in Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, favoring dry savanna, open woodland edges, and areas with scattered shrubs or small trees. The species forages both in the low canopy and on the ground among grasses. It uses dense grassy clumps for cover and nesting, moving into slightly more wooded patches in the dry season. Proximity to watercourses with grassy banks can also be beneficial. It tends to avoid heavily forested interiors and very open, overgrazed plains.
Altitude Range
0–1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The black-tailed cisticola is a small, skulking warbler of Central African savannas, often detected by its high, repetitive calls rather than by sight. It frequently flicks its dark tail while foraging, a helpful field cue. Like other cisticolas, it weaves a discreet, ball-shaped nest low in dense grasses or shrubs.
Temperament
skulking but active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually found singly or in pairs, maintaining small territories in the breeding season. The species builds a small, domed or ball-shaped nest low in grasses, with both sexes involved in nesting duties. Courtship involves song from exposed perches and short display flights.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A high, thin series of repetitive chips and trills, delivered from a perch or during brief display flights. Calls are sharp and dry, aiding contact between mates and territorial advertisement.
Plumage
Warm brown upperparts with fine darker streaking, contrasting with paler buff to grayish underparts; tail noticeably dark and often held cocked. Feathers appear soft and loosely textured, aiding camouflage among dry grasses.
Diet
Primarily small insects such as beetles, ants, termites, grasshoppers, and caterpillars; it also takes spiders and other small arthropods. Foraging involves gleaning from grass stems and leaves and occasional short sallies to capture disturbed prey. It will probe leaf litter and the bases of tussocks for hidden invertebrates.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in dry savannas, grasslands, shrub edges, and the lower canopy of scattered small trees. It favors patches with mixed grass height and some low cover, often near ecotones between grass and open woodland.
