Photo: Fraser, 1843 / CC0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Rufous Cisticola
Cisticola rufus
Rufous Cisticola (Cisticola rufus) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
The Rufous Cisticola (Cisticola rufus) is a member of the Cisticolidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 7.3 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 rufus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 7.3 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Cisticolidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Rufous Cisticola is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open scrub and shrubland, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.
Migration
The Rufous Cisticola is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Rufous Cisticola (Cisticola rufus) is a member of the Cisticolidae family, within the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF Senegal and Gambia to Cameroon and w Central African Republic.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 7.3 g, with a wing length of about 4.9 cm and a tail of around 3.6 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 877,000 km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Rufous Cisticola?
The Rufous Cisticola is a very small bird that weighs around 7.3 g.
Where does the Rufous Cisticola live?
The Rufous Cisticola is found across Africa with a range covering AF Senegal and Gambia to Cameroon and w Central African Republic, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Rufous Cisticola belong to?
The Rufous Cisticola (Cisticola rufus) belongs to the Cisticolidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Rufous Cisticola eat?
The Rufous Cisticola is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Rufous Cisticola migrate?
The Rufous Cisticola is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Rufous 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.
How large is the Rufous Cisticola's range?
The Rufous Cisticola has a mapped global range of about 877,000 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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