Chirping Cisticola Cisticola pipiens

Relatively colorful, mid-sized, long-tailed cisticola. Note the gray-brown back with thick black streaks, dull rufous on the wing and cap, and pale underparts. Found in reedbeds, especially papyrus and phragmites. The distinctive song is a few hesitant “chyep” calls followed by a long, dry trill. Very similar to Luapula Cisticola, and best separated by song. Visually, Chirping Cisticola is slightly larger, the tail is browner, and the rufous crown and wing patch are duller.