Coastal Cisticola

Cisticola haematocephalus

A relatively colorful, medium-sized, long-tailed cisticola. Note the gray-brown back with thick black streaks, the brown on the wing and cap, and the whitish underparts. Found in wetlands and moist grassland and scrub. As with other cisticolas, habitat and vocalizations are important to identification. Very similar to Winding Cisticola, but paler overall, and differs vocally. Also similar to Rattling Cisticola, but more colorful, with very different vocalizations: a wheezy, very high-pitched trill, and raspy “chi-dup” calls that are often given in a display flight. 

Taxonomy

The coastal cisticola is monotypic. This taxon was split from the winding cisticola by the IOC and HBW, as were the rufous-winged cisticola, Luapula cisticola and Ethiopian cisticola. The Clements (2017) and Howard and Moore (2014) world lists consider these taxa as a single species, the winding cisticola C. galactotes (sensu lato).

Scientific name
Cisticola haematocephalus
Authority
Cabanis, 1868
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Cisticolidae
Genus
Cisticola

Range and habitat

This species is found on the coastal plain of East Africa between 5°N to 10°S (southern Somalia to north-eastern Tanzania).<p>Its natural habitats are tropical seasonally wet or flooded lowland grassland and swamps.

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
unknown

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

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Gray seabird shaped like a football. Breeding plumage shows white belly and thin white eyebrow and mustache. Distinctive stout orange bill with pale vertical protrusion at base. Nonbreeding birds have a plainer face and lack "horn" on bill; juveniles have gray bill. Longer bill than other auklets with a flatter head. Breeds on offshore islands; otherwise found at sea, usually alone. Dives underwater for fish.

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Least Seedsnipe

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Giant Weaver

Giant Weaver

Ploceus grandis

A spectacular enormous weaver endemic to São Tomé, with a robust barbet-like bill and a bulky head. Adult male has a black head and a chestnut collar that extends to the breast. Female is dull, with a buff wash on the breast. Juvenile is like the female, but browner on the upperparts. Fairly common in forest, forest edge, and plantations. Found in pairs and small groups. Song is a winding gurgle that ends with a wheezing fizzle: “drrt-drrt-drrt-grrzzzztztztztz.” Other weavers on São Tomé are much smaller, and their males lack chestnut coloration. 

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