Cisticola in Cameroon (video clip) (1 Viewer)

This summer, I encountered a brown, nondescript warbler on the Ndop Plain in Northwest Province, Cameroon. It was my first trip to Africa, and the LBJs were a bit overwhelming. I thought this particular bird might be a Whistling Cisticola -- here's a video clip including song.

Any thoughts?

David

We only have two species of Cisticola here in Aus and yet they can be difficult to separate in non-breeding plumage.

I had a job with the Cisticolas in Africa too needless to say! Fortunately you recorded the song as this can be diagnostic with many species; so hopefully someone can make a good call with that. Whistling and Singing Cisticolas (I've seen and heard the latter) are pretty similar in appearance and both sing from exposed perches. Many species are skulkers and prefer dense undergrowth which rules them out. Do you recall any rufous along the wing edge? Also it lacks the rufous crown of the Singing.

Other than that I'm out of ideas, sorry!

It sounds like a pretty good match for Whistling, if I compare it to the other Cisticolas on Chappuis' CD.

Thanks, xenospiza.

David