Zitting Cisticola

Scientific Name: Cisticola juncidis
Malay Name: Cak-Tinting Kecil Biasa
Chinese Name: 棕扇尾莺

Range:
Found from southern Europe to Africa, Middle East, Indian subcontinent, China, Japan, Southeast Asia and northern Australia

Taxonomy:
Polytypic. Subspecies are: cisticola, juncidis, uropygialis, terrestris, neuroticus, cursitans, salimalii, omalurus, brunniceps, tinnabulans, nigrostriatus, malaya, fuscicapilla, constans, leanyeri, normani, laveryi.

Local Subspecies: malaya

Size: 10.5-12 cm

Identification:
Resembles Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler and Lanceolated Warbler but much smaller. Adult has buffish-brown upperparts with blackish streaks, rufous rump and whitish underparts with rufous-buff wash on flanks.

Similar looking species: Lanceolated Warbler, Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler

Habitat: Grasslands, marshes and open habitats.

Behaviour/Ecology: Usually skulks in long grass. During breeding season, male will hover and circle in the air.

Local Status: Common resident

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2017)

Location: Suitable habitats like Kranji Marsh, Punggol Barat, Seletar, Lorong Halus, Coney Island, Tampines Eco Green, Pulau Ubin and Tuas South.

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Zitting Cisticola at Jurong Lake Gardens. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Zitting Cisticola at Tuas Grassland. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

Zitting Cisticola at Jurong Lake Gardens. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Zitting Cisticola at Jurong West. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

Zitting Cisticola at Jurong Lake Gardens. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Zitting Cisticola at Punggol Barat. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Zitting Cisticola at Punggol Barat. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

Zitting Cisticola at Jurong Lake Gardens. Photo credit: Francis Yap