Cisticola erythrops

This relatively dull, greyish-backed cisticola has a diagnostic brown crown and rufous cheeks, and can be easily located by its loud, ringing call.

We first recorded this species with David Letsoala in April 2011. We were looking for red-backed mannikins near Tzaneen and found this species in the process. Its distinctive call alerted us to its wherabouts and made it possible to get a brief sighting.

I had to wait until November 2011 until I was able to get a better sighting and decent photographs of this species, while birding in the Soutpansberg.