Chubb's cisticola is a species of bird in the family Cisticolidae. It is native to the Western High Plateau, the Albertine Rift montane forests and the East African montane forests.
Region
Albertine Rift and East African Highlands
Typical Environment
Found disjunctly from the Western High Plateau of Cameroon to the Albertine Rift and East African montane forests of eastern DR Congo, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, western Kenya, and northwestern Tanzania. It inhabits montane forest edges, secondary growth, bracken and heath, bamboo clearings, and grassy or shrubby slopes. The species prefers dense, low vegetation with nearby open patches for display flights. It is typically resident within its elevational band, with only local movements in response to habitat changes.
Altitude Range
1200–3400 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Chubb's cisticola is a small, highland warbler of the African montane belt, often heard before it is seen due to its energetic, tinkling song. It favors edges of montane forests, bracken slopes, and bamboo clearings, where it keeps low in dense cover. Males perform short display flights during breeding, giving distinctive trills and chips. The species is generally common within suitable habitat and shows little seasonal movement.
Kakamega Forest - Kenya
Temperament
skulking but active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with bouncing display flights
Social Behavior
Usually found singly or in pairs, maintaining small territories in dense vegetation. Breeding pairs build a ball-shaped nest low in grasses or shrubs, often well concealed. Males perform brief song flights from low perches, while foraging is mostly within a meter or two of the ground.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A bright, tinkling series of chips and trills, often delivered during short display flights. Calls include sharp ticks and buzzing notes, repeated persistently from low perches.
Plumage
Warm brown upperparts with rufous tones and fine darker barring on the tail; underparts buffy to greyish-buff with a paler throat. Feathers appear soft and slightly fluffy, aiding a rounded, compact look. Wings short and rounded.
Diet
Primarily small insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, and flies, along with spiders and other arthropods. It gleans prey from grass stems, low shrubs, and herb layers. Occasionally it makes short sallies to catch flying insects. Foraging is methodical and close to cover.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in dense bracken, rank grass, bamboo undergrowth, and scrub at forest edges and clearings. Often works along paths, landslides, and disturbed patches where insects are abundant.
