Birds
Graszanger / Cisticola juncidis / Zitting Cisticola

Zitting Cisticola

Zitting Cisticola

45
14 hours ago
Spotted
The Zitting Cisticola is a tiny, highly energetic songbird, well-known for its distinctive 'zit-zit-zit-zitting' song given in a bouncy display flight. It is characterized by its streaky brown upperparts and pale underparts, with a relatively short tail often flicked open in flight. It inhabits open grasslands and cultivated fields.
Where to spot
Widespread across Southern Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. Favors open habitats such as grasslands, agricultural fields, meadows, and marshes with scattered bushes.
How to spot
Look and listen for its characteristic 'zitting' call during its bouncy, undulating flight pattern over open fields. On the ground, it's small and blends in well with vegetation, so focusing on its aerial display is often the best strategy. Note its streaky back and short tail.
When to spot
Can be observed year-round in its resident range. During the breeding season (spring and summer), males are particularly noticeable due to their display flights and continuous singing.
Graszanger / Cisticola juncidis / Zitting Cisticola
Zitting Cisticola, Cisticola juncidis
29004 Graszanger / Zitting Cisticola
Graszanger / Cisticola juncidis / Zitting Cisticola
Credits: Dirk-Jan van Roest
Zitting Cisticola, Cisticola juncidis
Credits: f_snarfel
29004 Graszanger / Zitting Cisticola
Credits: Vlaskop
The Zitting Cisticola gets its common name from its unique 'zitting' song, often performed during an undulating, 'zizzing' display flight over its territory, making it easier to identify than to spot on the ground.
Loading...

Spotted

Recently spotted
10235 (Seen in the last 3 months)
Last spotted
14 hours ago

Monthly observations

2 observations
Loading...
T
Tootiredhenki
6 months ago
Zitting Cisticola
Nieuwegein, Utrecht
Spotted Zitting Cisticola
Spotted Zitting Cisticola
+60
Lifer
No likes yet
Login to like
L
Linda Rullens
1 year ago
Zitting Cisticola
Den Oever, Noord-Holland
Spotted Zitting Cisticola
Spotted Zitting Cisticola
+60
Lifer
No likes yet
Login to like

Also interesting

File:Yellow-bellied prinia (Prinia flaviventris), Dankuni, West Bengal, India.jpg
100

Yellow-bellied Prinia

Cisticolas and Allies
File:Grey Wren-Warber (Calamonastes simplex) (46522745702).jpg
100

Gray Wren-Warbler

Cisticolas and Allies
100

Ethiopian Cisticola

Cisticolas and Allies
File:Cisticola melanurus, Cuanavale-rivier, a.jpg
100

Slender-tailed Cisticola

Cisticolas and Allies
File:Karoo Prinia (Spotted Prinia), Prinia maculosa (8418500601).jpg
100

Karoo Prinia

Cisticolas and Allies
File:Cisticola natalensis 1838.jpg
100

Croaking Cisticola

Cisticolas and Allies
File:Bessonornis modesta & Cisticola nigriloris, Keulemans.jpg
100

Black-lored Cisticola

Cisticolas and Allies
100

Huambo Cisticola

Cisticolas and Allies
File:Cisticola fulvicapilla dumicola & Cisticola ayresii ayresii 1863.jpg
100

Wing-snapping Cisticola

Cisticolas and Allies
File:Prinia polychroa 1838.jpg
100

Brown Prinia

Cisticolas and Allies