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Overview
Short-winged cisticola

Short-winged cisticola

Wikipedia

The short-winged cisticola, also known as the siffling cisticola, is a species of bird in the family Cisticolidae. It is found in Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

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Distribution

Region

Sub-Saharan Africa

Typical Environment

Occurs widely from West Africa through the Sahel and savannas to East and south‑central Africa. Favors open habitats with tall grasses, rank herbage, and edges of wetlands or floodplains. Also uses fallow fields, roadside grasslands, and lightly cultivated areas with sufficient cover. Avoids dense forest and extremely arid, unvegetated zones. Often stays low in vegetation, making it inconspicuous despite being common.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 2500 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size10–12 cm
Wing Span14–16 cm
Male Weight0.01 kg
Female Weight0.009 kg
Life Expectancy4 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

Also called the siffling cisticola, this small warbler is widespread across sub‑Saharan Africa and is often heard before it is seen. It builds a neat, domed nest by stitching leaves and grasses together with spider silk. Males perform brief, bouncing display flights while delivering a thin, whistled song. Its plumage can look plainer or more streaked depending on wear and season, which can complicate identification.

Gallery

Bird photo
Bird photo
Bird photo

Behaviour

Temperament

secretive but active

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats with bouncing display flights

Social Behavior

Usually seen singly or in pairs; forms monogamous pairs during the breeding season. Males defend small territories and sing from exposed perches or during brief display flights. The nest is a domed structure hidden low in grasses, constructed with woven plant material and spider silk. Both parents typically care for the young.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

A thin, high-pitched siffling sequence, often rendered as repeated 'siff-siff' notes, delivered from a perch or during a short aerial display. Calls include soft chips and tsip notes given from within cover. Song carries well over grasslands, especially at dawn and dusk.

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