Whistling Cisticola
Cisticola lateralis
Large, plain cisticola. The most outstanding aspects of the plumage are the white underparts and two bands across the tip of the tail, one pale and one black. Found in a variety of open habitats, including moist savanna, scrub, overgrown cultivation, and forest edge and clearings. The distinctive song is a quick, liquid warble, given from a prominent perch. As with other cisticolas, habitat and vocalizations are important to identification. Fairly similar to Singing Cisticola, but lacks a rufous cap and panel in the wings. Also similar to Trilling and Chattering Cisticolas, but lacks rufous on the cap.
识别特征
The whistling cisticola is a mid-sized bird that has a body length of 13–16 cm with a male weight of 14-21 grams, and female weight of 12-19 grams. A breeding, male cisticola is described to have gray-brown cheeks and a sooty-brown crown and underparts. Its tail is also a gray-brown color with the main body being mostly dark brown, with hints of reddish-brown. Also, the majority of males consist of a white colored throat, black bill, and dull pink legs. When male cisticolas are non-breeding, they appear a more reddish-brown color, have a richer buff below, and a gray color on their breast. Female cisticolas often have paler feathers, a more brownish bill, and have a more slender body shape than males. Juveniles are more slender than adults and are washed yellow below. Their bills are brown with bits of yellow and some have bright red underparts. The antinorii race is a paler brown with a fluffier build, and no seasonal plumage changes. The modestus race is smaller in size and more red throughout its feathers, along with a gray-brown crown.
分类信息
The genus name, Cisticola, was erected by the German naturalist Johann Jakob Kaup in 1829. Cisticola derives from Ancient Greek kisthos, “rock-rose”, and Latin colere, “to dwell”.
- 学名
- Cisticola lateralis
- 命名信息
- (Fraser, 1843)
- 目
- Passeriformes
- 科
- Cisticolidae
- 属
- Cisticola
分布与栖息地
- 迁徙
- Resident species
行为
The diet of whistling cisticolas mainly consists of different insects and vertebrates.These include termites (Isoptera), beetles (Coleoptera), grasshoppers (Orthoptera), bugs (Hemiptera), and spiders (Araneae). They usually hunt and forage in families and groups, rarely alone. These groups will extract nutrients from various vegetation on or close to the ground.<p>Male cisticolas are polygamous, but have solitary and territorial breeding periods. They will sing from raised perches, in close eyesight for the females, and occasionally make display flights. The females will build discreet nests often shaped in an ovular pattern with side entrances. They are made from dry grass and living leaves that are bound together with cobwebs, and extra leaves atop to create camouflage. A common nest tends to lay about 0.2 - 0.6 meter above the ground. The average clutch is about 2-3 eggs and the chicks are fed by both the male and the female.
保护状况
- 种群趋势
- stable
照片
分布
鸟叫声
其他鸟类
Glittering-bellied Emerald
Chlorostilbon lucidus
Small green hummingbird found in a variety of open and semiopen habitats, such as forest edges, deserts, savannas, and gardens. Visits feeders. Iridescent green body with a forked dark blue tail and dark wings. Males have a black-tipped red bill with a blue throat, while females have a white belly, black mask, and a black bill with a red base.
Upland Goose
Chloephaga picta
Common and conspicuous in most of its range, becoming uncommon and local in northern areas. Pairs and flocks are common along roadsides in Patagonian steppe grasslands, wetlands, at lakes, and along coasts. The male is strikingly white necked; some males have clean white breast and belly, others have dark-barred body. The female is brownish overall and much less noticeable with a rusty brown to grayish brown head and neck (compare to the rare Ruddy-headed Goose). Both sexes have bold black-and-white wing pattern that is striking in flight.
Yellow-throated Bulbul
Pycnonotus xantholaemus
Plain, pale brownish bulbul. Endemic to very specialized habitat in South India. Only found in hills with dry rocky scrub and boulders, co-occurring locally with the more widespread White-browed Bulbul throughout its range. Although both species have a yellow vent and can sound similar, Yellow-throated can be distinguished by its yellow head that contrasts with its whitish underparts. Usually occurring in pairs, it tends to rove along regular circuits, often perching on exposed rocks and boulders. Voice like White-browed’s, but more melodious and higher in pitch.
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