The rattling cisticola (Cisticola chiniana) is a species of bird in the family Cisticolidae which is native to Africa south of the equator, and parts of East Africa. It is a common to abundant species in open savanna and scrubland habitats, whether in arid, moist or upland regions. Especially during summer, it is highly conspicuous due to its strident and repetitive call-notes from prominent perches.[2]
The rattling cisticola was formally described in 1843 by the Scottish zoologist Andrew Smith under the binomial nameDrymoica chiniana based on a male specimen collected near the town of Zeerust in the North West Province of South Africa.[3][4] The specific epithet chiniana is probably from the toponym "Chenyane" or Tshwenyane Mountains that lie to the north of Zeerust.[5] The rattling cisticola is now one of 53 species placed in the genus Cisticola that was introduced in 1829 by the German naturalist Johann Jakob Kaup.[6]
The tinkling cisticola replaces it in stunted broad-leaved woodland and dry deciduous woodland on sandy substrates, while various Cisticola species replace it in marshy situations. It co-occurs with various Prinia species.[7]
Behaviour
Series of eggs, showing variation in background colour and spotting
Especially in summer, much time is spent calling prominently from the top of a tree or bush. The strident call can be rendered as "chee-chee chichi-chirrrrr",[2] but varies somewhat from individual to individual.
Breeding
Breeding occurs during the wet season in spring and summer.[7] They build a ball-shaped nest of very coarse grass blades, which is lined on the inside with fine plant material.[2]
Gallery
C. c. campestris in the Kruger National Park. The black gape is evident while singing.
↑ Smith, Andrew (1843). Illustrations of the Zoology of South Africa. Vol.2, Aves. London: Smith, Elder. Plate 79, text. Published in parts, for dates see: Barnard, K.H. (1950). "The dates of issue of the "Illustrations of the Zoology of South Africa" and the "Marine Investigations in South Africa"". Journal of the Society for the Bibliography of Natural History. 2 (6): 187–189.
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