The wailing cisticola is a species of bird in the family Cisticolidae. It is found in Angola, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland.
Region
Southern and Eastern Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs in montane and highland grasslands across Angola, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. It prefers rank grass, moist upland meadows, and heathy slopes with scattered shrubs. The species often uses recently burned and regenerating grasslands where prey is abundant. It avoids dense forest and arid lowland habitats.
Altitude Range
1200–3000 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Named for its plaintive, wailing song, this small warbler often sings from prominent grass stems or during fluttering display flights. It favors high-altitude grasslands and can become conspicuous after burns when new growth attracts insects. The nest is a neat, domed structure stitched from grass and leaves, often bound with spider silk. Despite its wide range, it is generally overlooked due to its cryptic plumage and skulking habits.
Temperament
skulking but vocal
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with fluttering display flights
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, holding territories during the breeding season. The species is monogamous, with nests placed low in dense grass. Females construct a domed or purse-shaped nest stitched from grass blades and bound with spider silk. Outside breeding, it remains inconspicuous and loosely associated with suitable habitat patches.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
A drawn-out, mournful whistle or series of wails, often rising then falling in pitch. Delivered from exposed perches or during buoyant display flights over grasslands. Calls include sharp chips and thin squeaks when alarmed.
Plumage
Streaked brown upperparts with darker mantle streaks, warm rufous tones on the wings, and paler buff underparts. Short rounded wings and a slightly graduated tail with pale tips. Overall appearance is cryptic and well-suited to tall grass.
Diet
Feeds primarily on small insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, ants, and flies, along with spiders and other small arthropods. It gleans prey from grass stems and seed heads and occasionally makes short sallies to snatch flying insects. Foraging is typically low to the ground within dense cover.
Preferred Environment
Tall, rank grasses and mixed grass-heath mosaics where invertebrate abundance is high. Frequently uses recently burned or regenerating patches that concentrate prey. Forages along damp swales, seeps, and the edges of upland wetlands.
