Madagascan cisticola

The Madagascan cisticola (Cisticola cherina) is a species of bird in the cisticola family (Cisticolidae), it inhabits in areas to the west of the ˞Indian Ocean. It forms a superspecies with the closely related zitting cisticola and the Socotra cisticola.

Madagascan cisticola

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Cisticolidae
Genus: Cisticola
Species:
C. cherina
Binomial name
Cisticola cherina
(Smith, 1843)

Description

Madagascan cisticolas are small cisticolas, 11 cm long and weighing 8-11 g. Overall they have brownish streaked backs, wings and heads and pale undersides. There are different colour variants, one more brownish, the other paler grey. Its call is described as a loud explosive ticking.[2]

Distribution and habitat

It is found across the whole of Madagascar and the islands of Astove and Cosmoledo in the Seychelles. The Seychelles birds are suspected to be recent arrivals, although there are some early records of the species there.[2] Within its range it occupies a range of open habitats, including savannah, grasslands, marshes, pastures, scrublands and forest edges and clearings. It is also found in a variety of human modified habitats, including paddy fields and croplands. The species is sedentary.

References
  1. BirdLife International (2012). "Cisticola cherina". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2013.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. Skerrett A, Bullock I & Disley T (2001) Birds of Seychelles. Helm Field Guides ISBN 0-7136-3973-3


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