Relatively colorful, mid-sized, long-tailed cisticola of wetlands. Note the brown back with thick black streaks, rufous on the wing and cap, and whitish underparts. Shows geographical variation in overall richness of color, including rufous cap and wing patch. Found in wetland habitats, especially reedbeds, and locally in wet scrub. Song varies across the range. Most populations give a high, rising trill. Some sing with rough “chyup” notes. Similar to Levaillant’s Cisticola, but Winding has a gray or brown tail and an unstreaked rump. Relatively bold colors separate the two from other cisticolas.