Pectoral-patch cisticola

The pectoral-patch cisticola (Cisticola brunnescens) is a species of bird in the family Cisticolidae. It is native to the Adamawa Massif, Gabon, the Congo and highlands of East Africa. Its natural habitats are damp or wet areas in upland grassland.^[2]

Pectoral-patch cisticola
Courting male, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Cisticolidae
Genus:	Cisticola
Species:	C. brunnescens
Binomial name
Cisticola brunnescens Heuglin, 1862

Description

Pectoral-patch cisticola, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia, showing the pectoral patches.

At 9–10 cm this is a small, streak-backed cisticola with short or medium tail, which may get longer in the breeding season.^[2] It differs from the pale-crowned cisticola in having a pale rufous (not buff) crown and forehead in the breeding season. The pectoral patches become darker in the breeding season, but even then they may not be easy to see.^[2]

Voice

The voice is stonechat-like in quality with harsh tssk tssk or szisk szisk notes given in display flight.^[2]