Cisticola tinniens
The tiny (11g) Levaillant’s cisticola inhabits wetlands, marshes, reedbeds and open grassland with rank growth. It feeds on small invertebrates.
Levaillant’s Cisticolas are usually seen singly, in pairs or small family groups and breed throughout the year. Their nests are built of grass in the shape of a ball with a small side entrance in thick grass in or over water. Clutches contain 2-5 eggs and are incubated for 2 weeks, with the chicks fledging more or less the same length of time after hatching.
Levaillant’s Cisticola occurs patchily over east, central and southern Africa, and is considered as being of least concern by the IUCN. With the exception of the arid west of the country they are found over most of the rest of South Africa.
Levaillant’s Cisticola
Levaillant’s Cisticola
Levaillant’s Cisticola
Levaillant’s Cisticola
Levaillant’s Cisticola
Levaillant’s Cisticola
Levaillant’s Cisticola
Levaillant’s Cisticola
Levaillant’s Cisticola
Levaillant’s Cisticola
Levaillant’s Cisticola
DeWetsWild 
Oooh cisticolas! Very noticeable and cute but I have not yet got it together to tell one species from t’other! Lovely photos, I especially like the second one in the gallery.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Carol! I also have great difficulty telling the different kinds apart and have to rely on a combination of calls, habitat and distribution to try and decipher which is which. I hope with lots of practice it will get easier one day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes it does take some practice and taking the trouble to learn. Familiarity with the calls helps a lot. I have a similar problem with larks not forgetting prinias … 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those “LBJ’s” can and do cause you to pull the hair from your head in frustration!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true. It is a great feeling (relief!) though to have a breakthrough and finally identify one of the species that has been such a puzzle.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Almost something to boast about!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s name looks bigger than the bird. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very good point! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nee man is jy seker… die is ‘n gewone langstert mossie? 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Die verskillende tinktinkies is so moeilik om uit te ken, Tina – ek dink jy het die oplossing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a beautiful little bird!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Most certainly, thanks Sue!
LikeLiked by 1 person
And that wing shot was fab…well done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m very grateful for dumb luck!
😉
Thanks again, Sue!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😄😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww, what a cutie! The header shot is just marvelous, luck or no luck. 🙂
janet
LikeLiked by 1 person
They’re really delightful little birds, and always on the move – glad I could get one shot showing that aspect!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so glad you posted this: I referred to this cisticola in my entry about the Crested Barbet but have never photographed one. Lovely pictures as always.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much, Anne!
LikeLike
The wing shot is marvelous!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very, very lucky shot that!
LikeLike
Tinktinkies is altyd n plesier om te sien en te volg.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Net jammer hulle is so moeilik om uit te ken en af te neem!
LikeLike
Hul is beslis baie bedreiwige voëltjie, baie soos die Fan tail hierso. Hul is egter nogal astrant wees, en jou uitdaag om pad te gee.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Goeiste! Ek sal bietjie moet gaan kyk hoe lyk julle Fantail, Ineke.
LikeLike
good share
LikeLike