Black-lored Cisticola Cisticola nigriloris

Large, relatively colorful montane cisticola. Note the rufous cap and back of the neck, black patch between the bill and the eye, and the pale and black bands at the tip of the tail. Found in open montane habitats with thick herbaceous undergrowth, including forest edge, marsh, moist grassland, and heath. Almost always in pairs or small groups. The unmistakable song is given in chorus: a frantic up-and-down series of “squeaky wheel” notes. As with other cisticolas, habitat and vocalizations are important to identification. Fairly similar to Trilling and Singing Cisticolas, but has black lores.