Zitting cisticola (Cisticola juncidis)

 

The zitting cisticola, formerly also fan-tailed warbler or streaked fantail warbler, is a widely distributed Old World warbler in the family Cisticolidae, whose breeding range includes western and southern Europe, Arica outside the deserts and rainforest, and southern Asia down to northern Australia.

Identification

The zitting cisticola measures just 10–12 cm (about 4–4.7 inches) long and weighs only 5–12 grams.Its upperparts are generally brown and heavily streaked, helping it blend into dry grass and vegetation.A warm rufous rump is one of the more reliable visual clues when the bird flushes or lands.Breeding males develop a darker bill and crown. Outside the breeding season the bird is even harder to spot, as it tends to stay low in the vegetation and rarely perches openly for long.One of the easiest ways to locate this bird is by listening for its characteristic “zit-zit-zit” or “zitting” call, which gives the species its common name.

Range and Habitat

This is an Old World species with an impressively broad distribution. It breeds across western and southern Europe, much of Africa (avoiding true deserts and dense rainforest), the Middle East, southern and eastern Asia, and south to northern Australia.

Breeding

Zitting Cisticolas build their nests among grasses and other low vegetation. The nest is usually carefully concealed, which helps protect the eggs and young from predators.Clutches usually contain 3–6 eggs. The female incubates them for roughly 12–14 days, and the young fledge after another 11–13 days or so. In many regions the species raises two (sometimes three) broods per season, and females can breed remarkably young.

Conservation Status

The zitting cisticola is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Its enormous range and adaptability to agricultural landscapes keep overall numbers healthy (tens of millions of individuals).

Source-wikipedia