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Difference between revisions of "Zitting Cisticola" - BirdForum Opus

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'''Alternative name: Fan-tailed Warbler'''
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'''Alternative name: Fan-tailed Warbler, Fan-tailed Cisticola, Streaked Fantail Warbler, Streaked Fan-tailed Warbler'''
  
 
'''Disambiguation: For the American species ''Euthlypis lachrymosa'', see [[Fan-tailed Warbler]]'''
 
'''Disambiguation: For the American species ''Euthlypis lachrymosa'', see [[Fan-tailed Warbler]]'''
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[[Image:16499cistico 1 800.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|Momo|Momo}}<br />Gialova Lagoon, Peloponnese, [[Greece]], September 2006 ]]
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[[Image:16499cistico 1 800.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Nominate subspecies<br />Photo by {{user|Momo|Momo}}<br />Gialova Lagoon, Peloponnese, [[Greece]], September 2006 ]]
 
;[[:Category:Cisticola|Cisticola]] juncidis
 
;[[:Category:Cisticola|Cisticola]] juncidis
 +
 
==Identification==
 
==Identification==
−
10-11cm.
+
Length 10-11cm (4-4¼ in), weight (male) 7-12 g (female) 5-8 g
−
*Sandy-brown above, heavily streaked with black on the mantle
+
*Sandy-brown above, heavily streaked with black on the mantle and crown
−
*White underparts
+
*White to buffy underparts
−
*Short broad, white-tipped tail<br />
+
*Short, broad, white-tipped tail<br />
−
'''Breeding male''' has a black bill
+
*Bill pale yellow-buff, except for breeding male, which has a black bill
 +
 
 +
===Similar species===
 +
Many other cisticola species, especially in Africa. [[Golden-headed Cisticola]] in South East Asia / Australia (which see).
 +
 
 
==Distribution==
 
==Distribution==
−
Southern [[Europe]], [[Africa]] outside the deserts and rainforest, and southern [[Asia]] down to northern [[Australia]].  
+
Southern [[Europe]], [[Africa]], southern [[Asia]] and northern [[Australia]].
 +
 
 
==Taxonomy==
 
==Taxonomy==
−
[[Image:43317Z Cisticola7.JPG|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|kctsang|kctsang}}<br />[[Singapore]], April 2006]]
+
[[Image:43317Z Cisticola7.JPG|thumb|350px|right|''C. j. malaya''<br />Photo by {{user|kctsang|kctsang}}<br />[[Singapore]], 29 April 2006]]
−
This genus is sometimes split off with various other southern warbler genera and given family status as the ''[[Cisticolidae]].''
+
This genus, along with various other mainly subtropical and tropical warbler genera, is now treated in the family [[Cisticolidae]].
 
====Subspecies====
 
====Subspecies====
−
There are 27 subspecies<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>:
+
There are 17 subspecies<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>, divided into four broad regional groups:<br />
 +
'''Mediterranean group'''
 
*''C. j. cisticola'':
 
*''C. j. cisticola'':
 
:*Coastal western [[France]] to [[Iberian Peninsula]], [[Balearic Islands]] and north-western [[Africa]]
 
:*Coastal western [[France]] to [[Iberian Peninsula]], [[Balearic Islands]] and north-western [[Africa]]
 
*''C. j. juncidis'':
 
*''C. j. juncidis'':
−
:*Southern [[France]] to [[Corsica]], [[Sardinia]], [[Balkans]], [[Turkey]], [[Syria]] and [[Israel]]
+
:*Southern [[France]] to [[Corsica]], [[Sardinia]], [[Balkans]], [[Turkey]], [[Syria]], and [[Egypt]]
 
*''C. j. neuroticus'':
 
*''C. j. neuroticus'':
−
:*[[Cyprus]], [[Levant]], [[Iraq]] and western [[Iran]]
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:*[[Cyprus]], [[Lebanon]], [[Israel]], [[Iraq]] and western [[Iran]]<br />
−
*''C. j. uropygialis (perrenius)'':
+
'''Tropical African group'''
 +
*''C. j. uropygialis'':
 
:*[[Senegal]] to southern [[Nigeria]], [[Sudan]], [[Rwanda]] and northern [[Tanzania]]; Mafia Island
 
:*[[Senegal]] to southern [[Nigeria]], [[Sudan]], [[Rwanda]] and northern [[Tanzania]]; Mafia Island
−
[[Image:IMG 5513.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|M+Kwan|M Kwan}}<br />Long Valley, [[Hong Kong]], December 2007]]
+
[[Image:IMG 5513.jpg|thumb|350px|right|''C. j. tinnabulans''<br />Photo by {{user|M+Kwan|M Kwan}}<br />Long Valley, [[Hong Kong]], 15 December 2007]]
 
*''C. j. terrestris'':
 
*''C. j. terrestris'':
−
:*Rio Muni to central [[Zaire]], [[Burundi]] and southern [[Tanzania]]
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:*Rio Muni to central [[Zaire]], [[Burundi]] and southern [[Tanzania]]<br />
 +
'''South Asian group'''
 
*''C. j. cursitans'':
 
*''C. j. cursitans'':
 
:*Eastern [[Afghanistan]] to [[Pakistan]], [[Nepal]], northern [[Myanmar]], [[India]], [[Sri Lanka]]
 
:*Eastern [[Afghanistan]] to [[Pakistan]], [[Nepal]], northern [[Myanmar]], [[India]], [[Sri Lanka]]
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:*South-western [[Philippines]] (Culion and Palawan)
 
:*South-western [[Philippines]] (Culion and Palawan)
 
*''C. j. fuscicapilla'':
 
*''C. j. fuscicapilla'':
−
:*Eastern [[Java]], Kangean Islands and [[Lesser Sundas]]
+
:*Eastern [[Java]], Kangean Islands and [[Lesser Sundas]]<br />
 +
'''Australasian group'''
 +
[[Image:zitting_cisticola_alok.JPG|thumb|350px|right|''C. j. cursitans'' breeding plumage<br />Photo by {{user|aloktewari|Alok Tewari}}<br />Dist. Gurgaon, Haryana, [[India]], 13 August 2015]]
 
*''C. j. constans'':
 
*''C. j. constans'':
 
:*[[Sulawesi]], Togian Island, Muna Island, Tukangbesi Island and Peleng Island
 
:*[[Sulawesi]], Togian Island, Muna Island, Tukangbesi Island and Peleng Island
Line 52: Line 63:
 
*''C. j. laveryi'':
 
*''C. j. laveryi'':
 
:*Coastal north-eastern [[Queensland]] (Cape York Peninsula south to Keppel Island)
 
:*Coastal north-eastern [[Queensland]] (Cape York Peninsula south to Keppel Island)
 +
 +
An 18th subspecies formerly accepted as ''C. j. perrenius'' is now treated as a synonym of ''C. j. uropygialis''. The tropical African subspecies group at least has been suggested as a potential future split. Further studies may suggest additional splitting of this very wide-ranging and variable species.
 +
 
==Habitat==
 
==Habitat==
 +
 
Open land with shrub, damp scrubby grassland, reeds, cane fields, thick brush, mangroves. Grassy coastal plains, saltmarsh etc.
 
Open land with shrub, damp scrubby grassland, reeds, cane fields, thick brush, mangroves. Grassy coastal plains, saltmarsh etc.
 
==Behaviour==
 
==Behaviour==
−
A small Warbler often seen only as a fleeting glimpse as it is a very active little bird. Some subspecies appear to be shier than others.
+
 
 +
A small warbler often seen only as a fleeting glimpse as it is a very active little bird. Some subspecies appear to be shyer than others.
 +
====Diet====
 +
Their diet consists almost entirely of insects and small invertebrates, including grasshoppers, dragonflies, moths, caterpillars and insect larvae etc. They mostly forage around the base of grass clumps, but occasionally they hawk for flying insects.
 
====Breeding====
 
====Breeding====
 
The female builds a cup shaped nest deep in grasses, from living leaves, plant-down, cobwebs, and grass, with a canopy of tied-together leaves or grasses overhead for camouflage.  Three to six eggs are laid.
 
The female builds a cup shaped nest deep in grasses, from living leaves, plant-down, cobwebs, and grass, with a canopy of tied-together leaves or grasses overhead for camouflage.  Three to six eggs are laid.
 +
[[Image:DSCN8163.JPG|thumb|350px|right|''C. j. salimalii''<br />Photo by {{user|S+K+Gudi|S K Gudi}}<br />Hubli, [[India]], 25 August 2016]]
 
====Vocalisation====
 
====Vocalisation====
−
The male has a most distinctive song-flight. It flies in circles about 20 ft above the ground, undulating considerably. At the top of each arc it gives a sort of 'zit' note.
+
 
−
<flashmp3>Cisticola juncidis (song).mp3</flashmp3><br />
+
The male has a most distinctive song-flight. It flies in circles about 20 ft above the ground, undulating considerably. At the top of each arc it gives a series of 'zit' notes, in some subspecies a series of double 'zit-zit' notes.<br />
−
''[[Media:Cisticola juncidis (song).mp3|Listen in an external program]]''
+
<br />
 +
{{Audio|Cisticola juncidis (song).mp3}}<br />
 +
 
 +
<br />
 +
{{Audio|Zitting_Cisticola.mp3}}<br />
 +
<br />
 +
Recording by {{user|aloktewari|Alok Tewari}}<br />
 +
Sultanpur, Gurgaon, Haryana, [[India]], July-2016<br />
 +
Adult, Ssp. ''cursitans'', calling from an acacia shrub
 
==References==
 
==References==
−
#{{Ref-Clements6thAug14}}#Wikipedia
+
[[Image:16212FDSCN4475-1.JPG|thumb|350px|right|Subspecies ''C. j. leanyeri''<br /> Photo by '''[http://www.birdforum.net/member.php?u=16212 Mat & Cathy]'''<br />[[Kakadu National Park]], Northern Territory, Australia, March 2006]]
−
#Collins Field Guide 5th Edition
+
#{{Ref-Clements6thAug19}}#Collins Field Guide 5th Edition
 
#Collins Bird Guide ISBN 0 00 219728 6
 
#Collins Bird Guide ISBN 0 00 219728 6
−
#BF Member observations
+
#Birdforum Member observations
 
{{ref}}
 
{{ref}}
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
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{{GSearch|Cisticola+juncidis}}
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{{GSearch|"Cisticola juncidis" {{!}} "Zitting Cisticola" {{!}} "Fan-tailed Warbler" {{!}} "Fan-tailed Cisticola" {{!}} "Streaked Fantail Warbler" {{!}} "Streaked Fan-tailed Warbler"}}
 +
<br />
 +
{{VSearch|"Cisticola juncidis" {{!}} "Zitting Cisticola" {{!}} "Fan-tailed Warbler" {{!}} "Fan-tailed Cisticola" {{!}} "Streaked Fantail Warbler" {{!}} "Streaked Fan-tailed Warbler"}}
 +
{{GS-checked}}1
 +
<br />
 +
<br />
  
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[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Cisticola]][[Category:Bird Songs]]
+
[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Cisticola]][[Category:Bird Songs]] [[Category:Videos]]

Latest revision as of 16:54, 12 June 2023

Alternative name: Fan-tailed Warbler, Fan-tailed Cisticola, Streaked Fantail Warbler, Streaked Fan-tailed Warbler

Disambiguation: For the American species Euthlypis lachrymosa, see Fan-tailed Warbler

Nominate subspecies
Photo by Momo
Gialova Lagoon, Peloponnese, Greece, September 2006
Cisticola juncidis

Identification

Length 10-11cm (4-4¼ in), weight (male) 7-12 g (female) 5-8 g

  • Sandy-brown above, heavily streaked with black on the mantle and crown
  • White to buffy underparts
  • Short, broad, white-tipped tail
  • Bill pale yellow-buff, except for breeding male, which has a black bill

Similar species

Many other cisticola species, especially in Africa. Golden-headed Cisticola in South East Asia / Australia (which see).

Distribution

Southern Europe, Africa, southern Asia and northern Australia.

Taxonomy

C. j. malaya
Photo by kctsang
Singapore, 29 April 2006

This genus, along with various other mainly subtropical and tropical warbler genera, is now treated in the family Cisticolidae.

Subspecies

There are 17 subspecies[1], divided into four broad regional groups:
Mediterranean group

  • C. j. cisticola:
  • C. j. juncidis:
  • C. j. neuroticus:

Tropical African group

  • C. j. uropygialis:
C. j. tinnabulans
Photo by M Kwan
Long Valley, Hong Kong, 15 December 2007
  • C. j. terrestris:

South Asian group

  • C. j. cursitans:
  • C. j. salimalii:
  • South-western India (Kerala)
  • C. j. omalurus:
  • C. j. malaya:
  • C. j. brunniceps:
  • C. j. tinnabulans:
  • C. j. nigrostriatus:
  • C. j. fuscicapilla:

Australasian group

C. j. cursitans breeding plumage
Photo by Alok Tewari
Dist. Gurgaon, Haryana, India, 13 August 2015
  • C. j. constans:
  • Sulawesi, Togian Island, Muna Island, Tukangbesi Island and Peleng Island
  • C. j. normani:
  • C. j. leanyeri:
  • Disjunct in coastal northern Australia to western Gulf of Carpenteria
  • C. j. laveryi:
  • Coastal north-eastern Queensland (Cape York Peninsula south to Keppel Island)

An 18th subspecies formerly accepted as C. j. perrenius is now treated as a synonym of C. j. uropygialis. The tropical African subspecies group at least has been suggested as a potential future split. Further studies may suggest additional splitting of this very wide-ranging and variable species.

Habitat

Open land with shrub, damp scrubby grassland, reeds, cane fields, thick brush, mangroves. Grassy coastal plains, saltmarsh etc.

Behaviour

A small warbler often seen only as a fleeting glimpse as it is a very active little bird. Some subspecies appear to be shyer than others.

Diet

Their diet consists almost entirely of insects and small invertebrates, including grasshoppers, dragonflies, moths, caterpillars and insect larvae etc. They mostly forage around the base of grass clumps, but occasionally they hawk for flying insects.

Breeding

The female builds a cup shaped nest deep in grasses, from living leaves, plant-down, cobwebs, and grass, with a canopy of tied-together leaves or grasses overhead for camouflage. Three to six eggs are laid.

C. j. salimalii
Photo by S K Gudi
Hubli, India, 25 August 2016

Vocalisation

The male has a most distinctive song-flight. It flies in circles about 20 ft above the ground, undulating considerably. At the top of each arc it gives a series of 'zit' notes, in some subspecies a series of double 'zit-zit' notes.





Recording by Alok Tewari
Sultanpur, Gurgaon, Haryana, India, July-2016
Adult, Ssp. cursitans, calling from an acacia shrub

References

Subspecies C. j. leanyeri
Photo by Mat & Cathy
Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory, Australia, March 2006
  1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, S. M. Billerman, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2019. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World: v2019. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
  2. Collins Field Guide 5th Edition
  3. Collins Bird Guide ISBN 0 00 219728 6
  4. Birdforum Member observations

Recommended Citation

External Links


GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1

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