Whistling cisticola

The whistling cisticola (Cisticola lateralis) is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family. It is native to the African tropical rainforest and adjacent areas. Its natural habitats include subtropical or tropical dry forests, dry savanna, and moist savanna.

The whistling cisticola is a mid-sized bird that has a body length of 13–16 cm with a male weight of 14-21 grams, and female weight of 12-19 grams. A breeding, male cisticola is described to have gray-brown cheeks and a sooty-brown crown and underparts. Its tail is also a gray-brown color with the main body being mostly dark brown, with hints of reddish-brown. Also, the majority of males consist of a white colored throat, black bill, and dull pink legs. When male cisticolas are non-breeding, they appear a more reddish-brown color, have a richer buff below, and a gray color on their breast. Female cisticolas often have paler feathers, a more brownish bill, and have a more slender body shape than males. Juveniles are more slender than adults and are washed yellow below. Their bills are brown with bits of yellow and some have bright red underparts. The antinorii race is a paler brown with a fluffier build, and no seasonal plumage changes. The modestus race is smaller in size and more red throughout its feathers, along with a gray-brown crown.