Cisticola anderseni
The White-tailed Cisticola (Cisticola anderseni) is a diminutive and distinctive member of the Cisticolidae family, recently recognized as a separate species, having been split from the Black-chinned Cisticola (Cisticola emini). This small passerine typically measures about 10-12 cm in length and weighs a mere 8-12 grams. Its plumage features a streaky brown back, a rufous crown, and a paler, buffy-white underside. The most characteristic field mark, lending it its common name, is the presenc...
This species primarily inhabits high-altitude grasslands, marshy areas, and wet savanna edges, often near water sources, typically found between 1,000 and 2,000 meters elevation.
The White-tailed Cisticola primarily feeds on small invertebrates, including insects, larvae, and spiders, which it gleans from grasses and low vegetation.
White-tailed Cisticolas are diurnal and highly active, spending their days foraging low in dense vegetation. Males are intensely territorial, establishing and defending their breeding grounds with vigorous and complex aerial song-flights, soaring high above the grass before parachuting down. Thei...
The White-tailed Cisticola is endemic to a restricted portion of the Albertine Rift, primarily found in western Uganda and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Its breeding and resident range extends across specific high-altitude grasslands and marshlands within this region, often associated wit...
Least Concern
- The White-tailed Cisticola was only recently recognized as a distinct species (in 2020 by the IOC), having previously been considered a subspecies of the Black-chinned Cisticola (Cisticola emini). - Its most defining feature, the white outer tail feathers, is particularly noticeable when the bi...