The whistling cisticola is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family. It is native to the African tropical rainforest and adjacent areas. Its natural habitats include subtropical or tropical dry forests, dry savanna, and moist savanna.
Region
West and Central Africa
Typical Environment
Found from West Africa across to parts of Central Africa in a broad belt of tropical lowlands. It favors forest edges, secondary growth, gallery forests, and savanna mosaics with patches of tall grasses and shrubs. The species also occupies lightly wooded areas, clearings, fallow fields, and plantations, especially near watercourses. It avoids dense closed-canopy rainforest interiors, preferring ecotones and open understory.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
True to its name, the whistling cisticola delivers clear, penetrating whistles from exposed perches in grassland and forest-edge mosaics. It skulks low in vegetation but often flicks its tail and pops up to sing. Its ball-shaped nest is intricately woven and usually tucked into tall grasses. The species adapts well to lightly altered landscapes such as fallows and plantations.
Temperament
skulking yet vocal
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with a bouncing, low flight
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, becoming strongly territorial during the breeding season. Pairs nest low in tall grasses, weaving a ball-shaped structure bound with spider silk. Outside breeding, it may join loose foraging groups in suitable grassland-edge habitats.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A series of clear, penetrating whistles, often descending or given in simple repeated phrases from an exposed perch. Calls include sharp chips and thin tseep notes, delivered frequently while tail-flicking.
