Zitting cisticola

Introduction: Zitting cisticolas (Cisticola juncidis) are also known as fan-tailed cisticolas. Juncidis is a Latin word for 'rushes' which refers to their main habitat use in seasonally flooded and open grass-plains.

Distribution: Patchy populations around the country especially along the Orange River, Sandwich Harbour, Etosha National Park, Kaudom Park and the Skeleton Coast.
Diet: Eats mainly insects such as grasshoppers, moths, caterpillars, dragonflies, ants, spiders and snails.

Description: Tawny buff upper parts with a bright tawny rump. Upper wing coverts and flight feathers dark brown to blackish. So called because of the series of monotonous klinks and zits repeated in display flights.
Breeding: Males build a unique pear-shaped nest made of plant down and spider web, bound to green grass leaves. Once the female has accepted her partners efforts, she will continue to line the nest with plant down for incubation. Usually 3 or 4 eggs are laid from December to January and from March to April and incubated by the female for up to 15 days.

Size: 11cm.

Weight: 9g.