Cisticola woosnami
The Trilling Cisticola, *Cisticola woosnami*, is a small, cryptically plumaged songbird belonging to the Old World warbler family Cisticolidae, known for its distinctive and rapid vocalizations. Measuring approximately 9-11 cm in length and weighing a mere 8-12 grams, its plumage is typically brown-streaked on the upperparts, contrasting with cleaner, whitish underparts often washed with a buff or rufous tone on the flanks. A plain, unstreaked crown and a relatively short tail, frequently hel...
This species primarily inhabits open grasslands, savannas, and shrublands, often favoring areas with tall grasses, scattered bushes, or light woodland. It can be found from lowlands up to moderate elevations of around 2,000 meters.
The Trilling Cisticola feeds almost exclusively on small insects and other invertebrates, which it gleans from grasses, foliage, and occasionally from the ground.
Trilling Cisticolas are diurnal and highly active birds, spending their days foraging and maintaining territories. Males are particularly vocal, often delivering their distinctive trilling song from prominent perches or during elaborate, undulating song flights high above the grass, which serve t...
The Trilling Cisticola has a broad but somewhat disjunct distribution across sub-Saharan Africa. Its breeding and resident range extends from eastern Nigeria, Cameroon, and the Central African Republic eastward through South Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania. Further s...
Least Concern
- The Trilling Cisticola is named for its distinctive, rapid, and high-pitched trilling song, which is often the first and only clue to its presence. - Despite their often cryptic, streaky brown plumage, males frequently sing from highly exposed perches or during conspicuous aerial displays. - Li...