Levaillant's Cisticola

Afrikaans name: Vleitinktinkie

Levaillant's Cisticola

Photo © Steven Herbert

Cisticola tinneins

The Levaillant's Cisticola has a fairly wide distribution in Africa south of the Sahara.It is found over most of South Africa.

This species is found in damp grasslands, marshes, on the edge of reedbeds and anywhere else that has grass or reeds near water.

Levaillant's Cisticolas are insect eating birds. They search amongst the grass for caterpillars and other insects.

They are very similar in looks to the Black-backed Cisticola which has similar habitat requirements. The Black-backed Cisticola is typically found near the coast whereas this species is found over most of the country.

These birds make their ball-shaped nest amongst the grass stalks. It is made from a combination of grass and spider web. Up to 5 eggs are laid and they take nearly 2 weeks to hatch.

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References and further reading

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Year Published: 1983 - Page: 246

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Year Published: 1959 - Page: 61

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 61

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 182

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Year Published: 1992 - Page: 88

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Year Published: - Page: 184

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 212

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Year Published: 1999 - Page: 64

Everyone's Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 52

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 172

Ian Sinclair's Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Year Published: 1988 - Page: 256

Newman's Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Year Published: 1984 - Page: 354

Newman's Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Year Published: 2000 - Page: 354

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Year Published: 1949 - Page: 273

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 447

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Year Published: 1981 - Page: 458

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 590

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 588

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 338

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 358

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Year Published: 1989 - Page: 40

List of South African Birds