Cisticola chiniana
The Rattling Cisticola occurs in savannas, especially those dominated by thorny trees and bushes, and woodland. It feeds mainly on insects and other invertebrates, but have also been observed taking nectar from aloes.
Rattling Cisticolas are usually seen in monogamous pairs or family groups, and breed in spring and summer. They construct ball-shaped nests near the ground in a shrub or tuft of grass. The female takes sole responsibility for incubating the clutch of 2-5 eggs for 2 weeks, with the chicks leaving the nest about the same length of time after hatching. Adults are approximately 15cm long and weigh around 16g.
According to the IUCN the Rattling Cisticola is of least concern, and it occurs from Ethiopia southwards. In South Africa it is commonly found through most of Kwazulu-Natal, in Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Gauteng, North West, the eastern reaches of the Northern Cape and the north-western parts of the Free State, often being one of the most numerous bird species where they’re found.
de Wets Wild 
Ek hou baie meer van die Afrikaanse naam … Bosveldtinktinkie … dis darem net te mooi!
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Ek stem heelhartig saam, Corna!
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Soos die ander, wonder ek ook of die lyfie rattle, of is dit ‘n geluid uit die bekkie?
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Ek neem aan die Engelse naam het iets uit te waaie met hul roepgeluid, Elsabe, maar dit klink nie vir my soos n ratellery nie: https://xeno-canto.org/706602
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Do they rattle?
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I suppose someone thought so, Tracy, but I can’t agree entirely: https://xeno-canto.org/706602
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How extraordinary but definitely not a rattle. Thanks, Dries.
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An interesting and handsome bird. “Rattling”: would that be from the sounds it makes?
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Could be, Hien, but their call doesn’t sound very rattling to me: https://xeno-canto.org/706602
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Cute little one.
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Cute – and shy!
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What an interesting name!
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I suppose like with some other cisticolas the name is in reference to its call, though I can’t really agree that it sounds “rattling”. Judge for yourself, Janet: https://xeno-canto.org/706602
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