The zitting cisticola or streaked fantail warbler is a widely distributed Old World warbler whose breeding range includes southern Europe, Africa, and southern Asia down to northern Australia. A small bird found mainly in grasslands, it is best identified by its rufous rump; in addition it lacks any gold on the collar and the brownish tail is tipped with white. During the breeding season males have a zigzagging flight display accompanied by regular "zitting" calls that have been likened to repeated snips of a scissor. They build their pouch nest suspended within a clump of grass.
Region
Southern Europe, Africa, South and Southeast Asia, and northern Australia
Typical Environment
Zitting cisticolas occupy open grassy habitats including savannas, fallow fields, rice paddies, and marsh edges. They prefer areas with tall grasses or sedges that provide both cover and nesting material. They readily use human-modified landscapes such as agricultural fields, road verges, and irrigation bunds. In denser stands they keep low and skulking, but males rise into the open during display flights.
Altitude Range
0–2000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This tiny grassland warbler is famous for the male’s zigzag aerial display accompanied by a monotonous “zit-zit-zit” that sounds like scissors snipping. It weaves a delicate pouch nest by stitching living grass blades together with plant fibers and spider silk. The rufous rump and white-tipped brown tail help separate it from similar small warblers.
C. j. uropygialis (Dakar, Senegal)
Egg, Collection MHNT
Temperament
skulking but active in cover; bold during display
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with bouncing, zigzagging display flights
Social Behavior
Outside breeding, it may occur loosely in small groups but is largely solitary and territorial when nesting. Males display conspicuously over territories while females focus on nest construction and care. The pouch nest is suspended within a clump of grass, stitched from living leaves and lined with soft fibers.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
A repetitive, dry “zit” note delivered in rapid series, often given incessantly during display flights. Calls include thin tsip notes from cover, with the overall effect resembling rhythmic scissor-snips.
Plumage
Upperparts streaked brown with darker mottling; underparts buffy to whitish with fine streaking on the breast, cleaner on the belly. In breeding plumage, tones warm and rufous, with a distinct rufous rump. Tail is relatively long, brown, and distinctly white-tipped.
Diet
Primarily small insects such as grasshoppers, beetles, caterpillars, and flies, along with spiders and other arthropods. It gleans from grass stems and leaves, probes into seed heads, and makes short sallies to catch flushed prey. Occasional small seeds may be taken incidentally but animal prey dominates.
Preferred Environment
Feeds low within tall grasses, sedges, and weedy field margins where cover is dense. Frequently forages along rice fields, wet meadows, and marsh edges, moving methodically through stems.
