Whistling Cisticola (Cisticola lateralis)
Illustration redrawn by AI from a real photograph

Whistling Cisticola

Cisticola lateralis (Fraser, 1843)

13–16 cmLength17 gWeight

The whistling cisticola (Cisticola lateralis) is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family.

Busiest months: November · Most records: Ghana, Uganda, Gambia

Least Concern

Where and when it's recorded

Busiest months: November · Most records: Ghana, Uganda, Gambia

Whistling Cisticola has been recorded at 100 of the 8,276 birding hotspots we track, in 14 countries and regions.

Records by month Northern Hemisphere

Where it's recorded most

  1. Ebekawopa (Abrafo) – 'farm scrub' habitatGhana144 records
  2. Antwikwaa – forest edge & farm scrubGhana135 records
  3. Ebekawopa (Abrafo) Forest ReserveGhana122 records
More places
  1. TujerengGambia79 records
  2. Budongo Forest Reserve – Royal MileUganda61 records
  3. Parc de la LekediGabon58 records
  4. Kakum National ParkGhana51 records
  5. Brufut WoodsGambia40 records
  6. Réserve de Bombo Lumene – Reception andCongo - Kinshasa35 records
  7. Ziwa Rhino SanctuaryUganda33 records

Countries and regions with the most records

GhanaUgandaGambiaGabonCameroonCongo - KinshasaCôte d’IvoireCongo - Brazzaville

eBird records via GBIF up to 2024-12-31. A record means someone listed it; more records partly mean more birders, not more birds.

About

The whistling cisticola (Cisticola lateralis) is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family. It is native to the African tropical rainforest and adjacent areas. Its natural habitats include subtropical or tropical dry forests, dry savanna, and moist savanna.

Excerpt from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0 · authors · Read more on Wikipedia

Questions

How big is the Whistling Cisticola?

The Whistling Cisticola is about 13–16 cm long and weighs around 17 g.

Where does the Whistling Cisticola live?

Its breeding range: Africa: western, central. It is most often recorded in Ghana, Uganda and Gambia.

When is the best time to see the Whistling Cisticola?

At the hotspots we track, it is recorded most in November (Northern Hemisphere).

Is the Whistling Cisticola endangered?

The IUCN Red List classifies the Whistling Cisticola as Least Concern.

What does the Whistling Cisticola eat?

Main food: Insects & other invertebrates.

What family is the Whistling Cisticola in?

It belongs to the family Cisticolas & Allies (Cisticolidae), order Passerines (Passeriformes).

At a glance

Length
13–16 cm
Weight
17 g
Habitat
Shrubland
Diet
Insects & other invertebrates
Lifestyle
Varied
Migration
Resident (barely migrates)
Conservation
Least Concern
More measurements
Wing
61 mm
Tail
52 mm
Bill
15 mm
Tarsus
21 mm

Averages from the AVONET dataset; length from field guides where available.

Range

Africa: western, central

Breeding range, IOC World Bird List 15.2

Classification

Order
Passerines Passeriformes
Family
Cisticolas & Allies Cisticolidae
Genus
Cisticola

Other birds in the genus Cisticola

Red-faced CisticolaRed-faced CisticolaCisticola erythropsSinging CisticolaSinging CisticolaCisticola cantansTrilling CisticolaTrilling CisticolaCisticola woosnamiChattering CisticolaChattering CisticolaCisticola anonymusBubbling CisticolaBubbling CisticolaCisticola bulliensHunter's CisticolaHunter's CisticolaCisticola hunteriChubb's CisticolaChubb's CisticolaCisticola chubbiKilombero CisticolaKilombero CisticolaCisticola bakerorumBlack-lored CisticolaBlack-lored CisticolaCisticola nigrilorisRock-loving CisticolaRock-loving CisticolaCisticola aberransHuambo CisticolaHuambo CisticolaCisticola bailunduensisRattling CisticolaRattling CisticolaCisticola chiniana
Whistling Cisticola

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Free to use with credit: “Illustration: Bird Album (birdalbum.com)”. Drawn by AI from a reference photo by Nik Borrow. ↗

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