Pectoral-patch cisticola

The pectoral-patch cisticola (Cisticola brunnescens) is a species of bird in the family Cisticolidae. It is found in Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Somalia and Tanzania. Its natural habitats are damp or wet areas in upland grassland.[2]

Pectoral-patch cisticola
Courting male, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Cisticolidae
Genus: Cisticola
Species:
C. brunnescens
Binomial name
Cisticola brunnescens
Heuglin, 1862

Description

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Pectoral-patch cisticola, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia, showing the pectoral patches.

At 9–10 cm this is a small, streak-backed cisticola with short or medium tail, which may get longer in the breeding season.[2] It differs from the pale-crowned cisticola in having a pale rufous (not buff) crown and forehead in the breeding season. The pectoral patches become darker in the breeding season, but even then they may not be easy to see.[2]

Voice

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The voice is stonechat-like in quality with harsh tssk tssk or szisk szisk notes given in display flight.[2]

References

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  1. ^ BirdLife International (2017). "Cisticola brunnescens". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T103776392A118730419. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T103776392A118730419.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d Sinclair, Ian; Ryan, Peter (2003). Birds of Africa south of the Sahara. Cape Town: Struik. p. 510. ISBN 9781868728572.