The rufous-winged cisticola is a species of bird in the family Cisticolidae. It is found on the east coast of southern Africa.
Region
Southeast Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs along the east coast of southern Africa, especially from southern Mozambique into northeastern South Africa and Eswatini. Prefers coastal plains with dense rank grass, dune scrub, and thicket edges, as well as grassy clearings in woodland. It frequents ecotones where tall grasses meet scattered shrubs, often near wetlands and along drainage lines. After burns, it uses regenerating grass for foraging and nesting.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The rufous-winged cisticola is a small, skulking warbler of dense grass and coastal scrub along the east coast of southern Africa. Males often sing from exposed perches or during brief display flights, showing rich rufous wing panels. Like many cisticolas, it builds a neat, ball-shaped nest of grasses bound with spider silk low in vegetation. Its subtle plumage makes voice and habitat key to identification.
Cisticola galactotes
Temperament
skulking and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with bouncing display flights
Social Behavior
Typically found singly or in pairs, especially during the breeding season when males defend small territories. The nest is a neat, ball-shaped structure of grasses bound with spider silk, placed low in dense grass or shrubs. Pairs are monogamous for the season and keep close to cover.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A high, tinkling series of notes and buzzy trills, often delivered from an exposed perch. Calls include sharp ticks and dry rattles, useful for detecting birds hidden in dense grass.
Plumage
Warm brown upperparts with fine darker streaking, rich rufous panels on the wings, and paler buff underparts. Tail is finely barred and slightly graduated. A faint pale supercilium and plain face give a subdued look compared to some congeners.
Diet
Feeds mainly on small insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, ants, and flies, as well as spiders. Prey is gleaned from grass stems, leaves, and low shrubs, and occasionally snatched from the ground. It rarely takes seeds, remaining primarily insectivorous year-round.
Preferred Environment
Forages within dense rank grasses, sedges, and thicket edges, usually within a meter of the ground. Often uses ecotones near wetlands, drainage lines, and coastal scrub where invertebrate prey is abundant.
