Species:

Zitting Cisticola (Cisticola juncidis)

Siskin (Spinus spinus)

Change species:
Main Images:
Next species:
Prev species:
Length (cm):
10-10
12-12
Wingspan (cm):
12-14
20-23
Weight (gram):
8-12
11-18
Size group:
Warbler-size
Sparrow-size
Main Texts:
Appearance:

Small, short winged warbler. Similar to Scrub Warbler (Scotocerca inquieta) and Graceful Warbler (Prinia gracilis), but both wings and tail much shorter. Tail fan-shaped with black and white tips. Heavily streaked back, buff underparts and pale throat and vent. Pale area around eye. Flight diagnostic, with whirring wings and short, slightly spread, fan-like tail. Song flight even more distinct, with long undulations synchronised with voice.

Sound:

Male song a diagnostic, monosyllabic, high-pitched "cist", repeated in an even rhythm about once every second, while in bounding song-flight or perched. Alarm call a short, clipping "witt", repeated in series.

Song and alarm:

Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file


Distribution:

Xeno-canto: map

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

CC

Appearance:

Small green and yellow finch with contrasting dark wings and tail. Underparts whitish with grey streaking. Secondaries, inner primaries and outer tail feathers with yellow base. Relatively long and pointed bill as opposed to Serin. Male distinct with black crown and bib, bright yellow chest, throat and hind-cheeks. Female less contrasty, with more prominent streaking. Juveniles paler and duller than adults, with even heavier streaking than females.

Sound:

Distinct calls and song. Most often heard is the sharp and disyllabic contact call: "doo-lee", with both notes descending. Sometimes given a in monosyllabic manner "dlyy". The contact call is also prominent in the improvised song. Other typical sounds in the song includes a peculiar wheeze, like someone sucking their teeth, and lots of expert mimicry.

Song:

Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file


Distribution:

Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC

Similar species (sound):
Silhouette Group:
Warbler-like
Silhouette
Sparrow-like
Silhouette
Several different images of the species
ImageImageImageImageImageImage
ImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImage
Several different sounds of the species
Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file
Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file
Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file
Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file
Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file