Cisticolidae
Encyclopedia
The Cisticolidae family of small passerine
bird
s is a group of about 110 warblers found mainly in warmer southern regions of the Old World. They are often included within the Old World warbler
family Sylviidae.
This family probably originated in Africa
, which has the majority of species, but there are representatives of the family across tropical Asia
into Australasia
, and one species, the Zitting Cisticola, even breeds in Europe
.
These are generally very small birds of drab brown or grey appearance found in open country such as grassland or scrub. They are often difficult to see and many species are similar in appearance, so the song is often the best identification guide.
These are insectivorous birds which nest low in vegetation.
Belonging to the Bernieridae (Malagasy warblers):
Belonging to Sylvia
/Parrotbill
clade.
Passerine
A passerine is a bird of the order Passeriformes, which includes more than half of all bird species. Sometimes known as perching birds or, less accurately, as songbirds, the passerines form one of the most diverse terrestrial vertebrate orders: with over 5,000 identified species, it has roughly...
bird
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
s is a group of about 110 warblers found mainly in warmer southern regions of the Old World. They are often included within the Old World warbler
Old World warbler
The "Old World Warblers" is the name used to describe a large group of birds formerly grouped together in the bird family Sylviidae. The family held over 400 species in over 70 genera, and were the source of much taxonomic confusion. Two families were split out initially, the cisticolas into...
family Sylviidae.
This family probably originated in Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, which has the majority of species, but there are representatives of the family across tropical Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
into Australasia
Australasia
Australasia is a region of Oceania comprising Australia, New Zealand, the island of New Guinea, and neighbouring islands in the Pacific Ocean. The term was coined by Charles de Brosses in Histoire des navigations aux terres australes...
, and one species, the Zitting Cisticola, even breeds in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
.
These are generally very small birds of drab brown or grey appearance found in open country such as grassland or scrub. They are often difficult to see and many species are similar in appearance, so the song is often the best identification guide.
These are insectivorous birds which nest low in vegetation.
Species list in taxonomic order
Based on Del Hoyo et al. (2006)- Genus NeomixisNeomixisNeomixis is a genus of bird formerly in the Timaliidae family but now considered to belong to the African warbler cisticolidae family. The genus consists of three small forest birds endemic to Madagascar:* Stripe-throated Jery...
- jeries (Genus basal to all other Cisticolidae)- Common JeryCommon JeryThe Common Jery is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family.It is endemic to Madagascar.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.-References:...
, Neomixis tenella - Green JeryGreen JeryThe Green Jery is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family.It is endemic to Madagascar.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.-References:...
, Neomixis viridis - Stripe-throated JeryStripe-throated JeryThe Stripe-throated Jery is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family.It is endemic to Madagascar.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests....
, Neomixis striatigula
- Common Jery
- Genus Orthotomus, the tailorbirds (around 13 species)
- Genus PriniaPriniaThe prinias are a genus of small insectivorous birds belonging to the passerine bird family Cisticolidae. They are often also alternatively classed in the Old World warbler family, Sylviidae. The name of the genus is derived from the Javanese prinya, the local name for the Bar-winged Prinia.The...
, the priniaPriniaThe prinias are a genus of small insectivorous birds belonging to the passerine bird family Cisticolidae. They are often also alternatively classed in the Old World warbler family, Sylviidae. The name of the genus is derived from the Javanese prinya, the local name for the Bar-winged Prinia.The...
s (around 28 species) - Genus Heliolais
- Red-winged WarblerRed-winged WarblerThe Red-winged Warbler is a bird species in the family Cisticolidae. It belongs to the monotypic genus Heliolais....
, Heliolais erythropterus
- Red-winged Warbler
- Genus CisticolaCisticolaCisticolas are a genus of very small insectivorous birds formerly classified in the Old World warbler family Sylviidae, but now usually considered to be in the separate family Cisticolidae, along with other southern warbler genera. They are believed to be quite closely related to the swallows and...
, the cisticolas (around 45 species) - Genus Incana
- Socotra WarblerSocotra WarblerThe Socotra Warbler is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Incana. It is endemic to Socotra....
, Incana incanus
- Socotra Warbler
- Genus ScotocercaScotocercaScotocerca is a genus of bird in the Cisticolidae family.It contains the following species:* Streaked Scrub-warbler -References:...
- Scrub Warbler or Streaked Scrub Warbler, Scotocerca inquieta
- Genus Malcorus
- Rufous-eared WarblerRufous-eared WarblerThe Rufous-eared Warbler is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family. It is found in Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. It is the only species in the genus Malcorus....
, Malcorus pectoralis
- Rufous-eared Warbler
- Genus BathmocercusBathmocercusBathmocercus is a genus of bird in the Cisticolidae family.It contains the following species:* Black-capped Rufous Warbler * Black-faced Rufous Warbler...
- rufous-warblers- Black-capped Rufous-warblerBlack-capped Rufous-warblerThe Black-headed Rufous Warbler , also known as the Black-Capped Rufous Warbler, is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family. It is found in Ivory Coast, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical...
Bathmocercus cerviniventris - Black-faced Rufous-warblerBlack-faced Rufous-warblerThe Black-Faced Rufous Warbler is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family.It is found in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.Its natural habitats are subtropical or...
Bathmocercus rufus
- Black-capped Rufous-warbler
- Genus Scepomycter - sometimes merged into Bathmocercus
- Mrs Moreau's WarblerMrs Moreau's WarblerWinifred's Warbler , also known as Mrs Moreau's Warbler, is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family. The genus Scepomycter has traditionally been considered monotypic, but in 2009 a closely related new species was described, the Rubeho Warbler. Alternatively, the Winifred’s Warbler is...
Scepomycter winifredae - Rubeho WarblerRubeho WarblerThe Rubeho Warbler is a threatened species of bird in the Cisticolidae family. It is found in highland forests in the Rubeho–Ukaguru Mountains in Tanzania. This cryptic species was only described in 2009; it having traditionally been included in the closely related Mrs Moreau's...
Scepomycter rubehoensis
- Mrs Moreau's Warbler
- Genus Hypergerus
- Oriole WarblerOriole WarblerThe Oriole Warbler is a small warbler, the only member of the genus Hypergerus. This bird is a resident breeder in west Africa from southern Senegal to Cameroon and north Zaire....
, Hypergerus atriceps
- Oriole Warbler
- Genus Eminia
- Grey-capped WarblerGrey-capped WarblerThe Grey-capped Warbler is a species of bird in the Cisticola family Cisticolidae. It is the only species in the genus Eminia. The Grey-capped warbler is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical...
, Eminia lepida
- Grey-capped Warbler
- Genus ApalisApalisThe apalises are small passerine birds belonging to the genus Apalis. They are found in forest, woodlands and scrub across most parts of sub-Saharan Africa. They are slender birds with long tails and have a slender bill for catching insects. They are typically brown, grey or green above and several...
, the apalisApalisThe apalises are small passerine birds belonging to the genus Apalis. They are found in forest, woodlands and scrub across most parts of sub-Saharan Africa. They are slender birds with long tails and have a slender bill for catching insects. They are typically brown, grey or green above and several...
es. (Around 26 species; Genus paraphyletic) - Genus Poliolais
- White-tailed WarblerWhite-tailed WarblerThe White-tailed Warbler is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family, the only of its genus Poliolais. It is found in Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and Nigeria....
Poliolais lopezi
- White-tailed Warbler
- Genus CamaropteraCamaropteraCamaroptera is a genus of bird in the Cisticolidae family.It contains the following species:* Olive-green Camaroptera * Grey-backed Camaroptera * Hartert's Camaroptera...
- Grey-backed CamaropteraGrey-backed CamaropteraThe Grey-backed Camaroptera is a small warbler. This bird is a resident breeder in Africa south of the Sahara Desert....
, Camaroptera brachyura - Yellow-browed CamaropteraYellow-browed CamaropteraThe Yellow-browed Camaroptera is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo, and...
, Camaroptera superciliaris - Olive-green CamaropteraOlive-green CamaropteraThe Olive-green Camaroptera is a bird species in the family Cisticolidae.It is found in Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal,...
, Camaroptera chloronota
- Grey-backed Camaroptera
- Genus CalamonastesCalamonastesCalamonastes is a genus of birds in the family Cisticolidae. It contains African wren-warblers.-Species:*Barred Wren-Warbler, Calamonastes fasciolatus*Grey Wren-Warbler, Calamonastes simplex*Stierling's Wren-Warbler, Calamonastes stierlingi...
- Miombo Camaroptera, Calamonastes undosus
- Grey Wren-Warbler, Calamonastes simplex
- Barred Camaroptera, Calamonastes fasciolatus
- Genus Euryptila
- Kopje WarblerKopje WarblerThe Kopje Warbler or Cinnamon-breasted Warbler is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Euryptila. It is found in Namibia and South Africa. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry shrubland.-Source:* BirdLife International 2004....
Euryptila subcinnamomea
- Kopje Warbler
- Genus ArtisornisArtisornisArtisornis is a genus of bird in the Cisticolidae family. It contains the following species:* Red-capped Forest Warbler, Artisornis metopias* Long-billed Tailorbird, Artisornis moreaui-References:...
- Long-billed TailorbirdLong-billed TailorbirdThe Long-billed Forest Warbler , also known as the Long-billed Tailorbird, is a songbird of the family Cisticolidae, formerly part of the "Old World warbler" assemblage. It is found in Mozambique and Tanzania. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. It is threatened...
, Artisornis moreaui - African TailorbirdAfrican TailorbirdThe Red-capped Forest Warbler , also known as the African Tailorbird, is a songbird of the family Cisticolidae, formerly part of the "Old World warbler" assemblage. It is found in Mozambique and Tanzania. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.-References:* BirdLife...
, Artisornis metopias
- Long-billed Tailorbird
- Genus SchistolaisSchistolaisSchistolais is a genus of bird in the Cisticolidae family.It contains the following species:* White-chinned Prinia or Warbler Schistolais leucopogon* Sierra Leone Prinia or Warbler Schistolais leontica-References:...
- White-chinned PriniaWhite-chinned PriniaThe White-chinned Prinia , also known as the White-chinned Warbler, is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family.-Distribution and habitat:...
or Warbler Schistolais leucopogon - Sierra Leone Prinia or Warbler Schistolais leontica
- White-chinned Prinia
- Genus Urolais
- Green LongtailGreen LongtailThe Green Longtail is a bird species of the Cisticolidae family, in the monotypic genus Urolais.It is found in Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and Nigeria. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forests and dry savanna.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . ...
, Urolais epichlora
- Green Longtail
- Genus Phragmacia
- Namaqua PriniaNamaqua PriniaThe Namaqua Prinia , also known as the Namaqua Warbler or White-breasted Prinia, is a small passerine bird, a cisticolid warbler and the sole member of the genus Phragmacia...
or Warbler, Phragmacia substriata
- Namaqua Prinia
- Genus Oreophilais
- Roberts' Prinia or Briar WarblerBriar WarblerRoberts’s Warbler , also known as the Briar Warbler, is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family. It is found in Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and subtropical or tropical moist shrubland.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . ...
, Oreophilais robertsi
- Roberts' Prinia or Briar Warbler
- Genus Drymocichla
- Red-winged Grey WarblerRed-winged Grey WarblerThe Red-winged Grey Warbler is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Drymocichla.It is found in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, and Uganda....
, Drymocichla incana
- Red-winged Grey Warbler
- Genus Spiloptila
- Cricket LongtailCricket LongtailThe Cricket Warbler or Cricket Longtail is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family. It belongs to the genus Spiloptila; it is often the only species included in the genus but sometimes the Red-fronted Warbler is placed there as well.It is found in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Eritrea,...
, Spiloptila clamans
- Cricket Longtail
- Genus Urorhipis
- Red-fronted WarblerRed-fronted WarblerThe Red-fronted Warbler or Red-faced Apalis is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family.It is found in Chad, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.Its natural habitat is dry savanna....
, Urorhipis rufifrons
- Red-fronted Warbler
- Genus Phyllolais
- Buff-bellied WarblerBuff-bellied WarblerThe Buff-bellied Warbler is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Phyllolais....
, Phyllolais pulchella
- Buff-bellied Warbler
Belonging to the Bernieridae (Malagasy warblers):
- Genus Hartertula - formerly in Neomixis
Belonging to Sylvia
Sylvia
Sylvia may refer to:* A feminine given name of Latin origin, also spelled Silvia. The French form is Sylvie.* Sylvia, Kansas, a town in Kansas-Persons:*Saint Silvia*Queen Silvia of Sweden*Sylvia , American country singer born Sylvia Jane Kirby...
/Parrotbill
Parrotbill
The parrotbills are a group of peculiar birds native to East and Southeast Asia, though feral populations are known from elsewhere. They are generally small, long-tailed birds which inhabit reedbeds and similar habitat. They feed mainly on seeds, e.g. of grasses, to which their bill, as the name...
clade.
- Genus Rhopophilus
- White-browed Chinese WarblerWhite-browed Chinese WarblerThe Chinese Hill Warbler , also known as the White-browed Chinese Warbler or Chinese Bush-dweller, is a species of bird in the monotypic genus Rhopophilus. Its relationships are uncertain and it has been placed in the families Cisticolidae, Timaliidae or Sylviidae...
, Rhopophilus pekinensis
- White-browed Chinese Warbler
- Genus EremomelaEremomelaThe eremomelas are a genus, Eremomela, of passerines in the cisticola family Cisticolidae. The genus was previously placed with the larger Old World warbler family Sylviidae prior to that genus being broken up into several families. The genus contains ten to eleven species, all of which are found...
External links
- Cisticolidae videos on the Internet Bird Collection