Aberdare cisticola

The Aberdare cisticola (Cisticola aberdare) is a species of bird in the family Cisticolidae. It is endemic to Kenya.

Aberdare cisticola
Conservation status
Vulnerable  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Cisticolidae
Genus:	Cisticola
Species:	C. aberdare
Binomial name
Cisticola aberdare Lynes, 1930

Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical high-elevation grassland. It is threatened by habitat loss.^[2]

Description

The Aberdare cisticola is 12–15 cm (4.7–5.9 in) in length, and weighs 18–24 g (0.63–0.85 oz). It is a large and stocky cisticola with a heavy bill, plain face, boldly striped upperparts, and a medium-long graduated tail.^[2][3] Its voice is a mixture of peeuu tew tew and other short trills.^[2]

Diet

It feeds on beetles and flies, foraging for them by searching through vegetation and on the ground.^[3]

Behavior

The Aberdare cisticola^[4] is believed to be monogamous, solitary and territorial. It breeds from January through May and August through November, building a nest out of a flimsy ball of branches and leaves.^[3]