Cisticola chiniana

This widespread, savanna cisticola, with its rufous-brown crown and wing panel, is an incredibly common bushveld bird in southern Africa. It is easily recognisable by its loud rattling call, which it gives from the top of trees and bushes.

We first recorded this very common cisticola in May 2010 while exploring Mkuze Falls Game Reserve in northern KwaZulu Natal.

A simple rule of thumb; if you see a cisticola in the Kruger National Park, 99% of the time it will be a rattling cisticola.