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

Gray-rumped Treeswift
Hemiprocne longipennis
Long-winged and long-tailed, this inhabitant of the forest canopy closely resembles a swift, but unlike true swifts, frequently perches upright for long periods of time. Dark gray above with a short, angular crest and dark orange cheek patches. Female is paler below than male. Long tail is sometimes opened in a deep fork when in flight, but appears long and thin when closed. Longer-winged and longer-necked silhouette than swifts in flight. Forages both aerially and by hawking from an exposed perch. Inhabits lowland and foothill forests, particularly wet forests. Gives series of squeaky calls.

White-billed Buffalo-Weaver
Bubalornis albirostris
A big, bulky, long-tailed black weaver. The bill is white in males and black in females. There is a white patch on the front edge of the shoulder, and also a pale patch in the wing that can be conspicuous in flight. Immatures are dark brown with heavy streaking below. Found in dry savanna and woodland, often in flocks. Builds huge communal stick nests. Similar to Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver, but never shows a red bill. The common call is a harsh “sjet” that is often given repeatedly by a whole group in chorus.

Serra do Mar Bristle-Tyrant
Pogonotriccus difficilis
Tiny flycatcher with a long slender tail. Differs from other tyrannulets in being mostly bright olive-green above and gray below with darkish ear patches, prominent white eyerings, and pinkish (not dark) legs. Found in the understory of dense humid montane forests between 950–2,150 m; rarely joins mixed-species flocks. The song is a series of loud harsh notes; also makes snapping noises with its bill.
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