Zitting Cisticola

Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis also known as Fan-tailed Warbler is another species seen on this tour which has a huge world range of 134 million square kilometres. The range stretches from western Europe to Africa (outside deserts and rain forests) and east to south west Asia and Australasia. This was the only day on which we saw the species and I was fortunate to see this bird, one of six recorded, perched up on a low bush.

Cisticolas are some of the most difficult birds to identify and even the most accomplished African birders have difficulties separating a plethora of species unless they hear the call. Zitting Cisticola is the most or one of the most common members of the family and many birders will be able to recognise its onomatopoeic zit zit call or similar renditions given during its display flight.

This species is found mainly in grassland habitats, often near water. Most populations are resident, but some East Asian populations migrate south to warmer areas in winter. In the Himalayas, they ascend to about 1,900 m (6,200 ft) during summer but are below 1,300 m (4,300 ft) in the winter. This species is found in southern Europe but is a rare vagrant to northern Europe, mostly as a spring overshoot. Its European range is generally expanding, although northern populations are especially susceptible to hard winters.

Reference: BirdLife; Wikipedia