Ethiopian Cisticola
Cisticola lugubris
Ethiopian Cisticola (Cisticola lugubris) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Ethiopian Cisticola (Cisticola lugubris) is a member of the Cisticolidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 13.1 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Cisticolidae Cisticolas & Allies
- Genus Cisticola
- Species lugubris
Quick facts
- Weight
- 13.1 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Cisticolidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Ethiopian Cisticola is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Ethiopian Cisticola is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Ethiopian Cisticola (Cisticola lugubris) is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF Ethiopia and Eritrea.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 13.1 g, with a wing length of about 5.7 cm and a tail of around 5.3 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 433,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Ethiopian Cisticola?
The Ethiopian Cisticola is a very small bird that weighs around 13.1 g.
Where does the Ethiopian Cisticola live?
The Ethiopian Cisticola is found across Africa with a range covering AF Ethiopia and Eritrea, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Ethiopian Cisticola belong to?
The Ethiopian Cisticola (Cisticola lugubris) belongs to the Cisticolidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Ethiopian Cisticola eat?
The Ethiopian Cisticola is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Ethiopian Cisticola migrate?
The Ethiopian Cisticola is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Ethiopian Cisticola endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Ethiopian Cisticola make?
1 real field recording of the Ethiopian Cisticola — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Ethiopian Cisticola's range?
The Ethiopian Cisticola has a mapped global range of about 433,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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