Madagascar Cisticola
Cisticola cherina
Tiny brown bird with a long tail and bill. Note streaked back and pale underparts. In flight, the white tail tips can be conspicuous. Found in all open habitats, including grassland, marsh, rice paddies, and moist scrub. Incessantly gives a dry “zip” call, often in a hovering flight display. Similar to larger Madagascar Lark, but has a longer tail and bill, and is usually seen perched up on grass or low bushes rather than walking on the ground. All other similar species have a different bill shape.
Identification
Madagascar cisticolas are small cisticolas, 11 cm long and weighing 8-11 g. Overall they have brownish streaked backs, wings and heads and pale undersides. There are different colour variants, one more brownish, the other paler grey. Its call is described as a loud explosive ticking.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Cisticola cherina
- Authority
- (Smith, A, 1843)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Cisticolidae
- Genus
- Cisticola
Range and habitat
It is found across the whole of Madagascar and the islands of Astove and Cosmoledo in the Seychelles. The Seychelles birds are suspected to be recent arrivals, although there are some early records of the species there. It occupies a range of open habitats, including savannah, grasslands, marshes, pastures, scrublands and forest edges and clearings. It is also found in a variety of human modified habitats, including paddy fields and croplands. The species is sedentary.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Yellow-legged Gull
Larus michahellis
The common large seagull of the Mediterranean and northwestern Africa, as well as the Azores and Canary Islands; uncommon to locally fairly common in northern Europe, mainly in late summer and autumn. Often occurs with flocks of much more numerous Herring Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull, and, confusingly, appears somewhat intermediate between these species. Adult has medium-gray back (slightly darker than Herring Gull, paler than Lesser Black-backed) and yellowish legs (pink on Herring Gull). Immatures are much like Lesser Black-backed Gull and often not safely identified.
Blue-winged Leafbird
Chloropsis moluccensis
Medium-sized forest-dweller that is often seen in pairs or with mixed flocks. Male has a yellow tinge to the head and a triangular black patch with a deep blue center extending down from between the eye and the base of the bill. Female is green all over with a small blue throat smudge. Both sexes have vivid blue highlights on the wings, which help to distinguish it from other similar leafbirds in its range such as Greater Green and Lesser Green Leafbirds, both of which have plain green wings. Vocalizations very varied, including a rather slow, simple song consisting of whistles and warbles, a repetitive and strident “weet weet weet”, and a sweet “wi’weep.”
Black-chinned Siskin
Spinus barbatus
Fairly common in lowlands and foothills (rarely at higher elevations), where it is found in town parks, gardens, matorral, woodland, and open and semiopen areas with bushes. Spirited bubbling and warbling song can be prolonged and draw attention, but often given from concealed perch in the tree canopy. Like other siskins, often in flocks, especially in nonbreeding season. Male is yellow overall with messy blackish cap and chin patch. Female is a rather drab grayish or yellowish overall, but note distinctive yellow wing patches. Compare with Grassland Yellow-Finch, which often occurs in same areas.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.