Zitting Cisticola

Spreads its legs to maintain balance.

Scientific name	Cisticola juncidis
English name	Zitting Cisticola
Japanese name	雪加
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Cisticolidae
Genus	Cisticola
Species	juncidis
Full length	13cm
Distribution	Distributed from Africa to low-latitude regions of Eurasia.

Zitting Cisticola Characteristics and Morphology

Slightly smaller than a sparrow. The entire body is light brown. Males and females are very similar.
Has a white supercilium and a dark crown. The beak is thin and short. The iris is black. The upperparts are brown, with black mixed in from the wings to the tail feathers. The sides of the body are light brown, and the chest is off-white with a yellowish-brown tint. The abdomen is off-white with a yellowish-brown tint. The tail feathers are brown, with black at the tips. The legs are pale flesh-colored.

Male

The inside of the male's mouth is black.

Female

The inside of the female's mouth is flesh-colored.

Song

During the breeding season, they sing while flying with a "hi-hi-hi" sound.

Zitting Cisticola Ecology

Habitat

Inhabits reedbeds near rivers and rice paddies.

Food

Feeds on insects and spiders.

Life Cycle

Practices polygyny, with males building oval nests in grasslands to attract females.

Zitting Cisticola Photos

Zitting Cisticola Photos are introduced.
Tap the photo to open the detail page.

Perched on a branch with its legs spread.

Zitting Cisticola Behavior

Males may fly and sing over their territory, but usually remain hidden in the grasslands.

Zitting Cisticola Information

Naming

The specific name "juncidis" means "rush-like," referring to the habitat of this bird.

Zitting Cisticola Found Locations

Zitting Cisticola Observation Log

These are the observation logs where we found Zitting Cisticola.

2021-06-05

There were Zitting Cisticolas everywhere in the bushes of the riverbed. They seemed to have territories, and were singing frequently while circling in the sky.

2021-07-11