Kingdom Animalia Order Passeriformes Genus Cisticola Higher classification Cisticola | Phylum Chordata Family Cisticolidae Scientific name Cisticola cherina Rank Species | |
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Similar Common jery, Stripe‑throated jery, Dorst's cisticola, Red‑pate cisticola, Black‑tailed cisticola | ||
The Madagascan cisticola (Cisticola cherina) is a species of bird in the cisticola family (Cisticolidae). It forms a superspecies with the closely related zitting cisticola and the Socotra cisticola. It is found across the whole of Madagascar and the islands of Astove and Cosmoledo in the Seychelles. The Seychelles birds are suspected to be recent arrivals, although there are some early records of the species there. Within its range it occupies a range of open habitats, including savannah, grasslands, marshes, pastures, scrublands and forest edges and clearings. It is also found in a variety of human modified habitats, including paddy fields and croplands. The species is sedentary.
Madagascan cisticolas are small cisticolas, 11 cm long and weighing 8-11 g. Overall they have brownish streaked backs, wings and heads and pale undersides. There are different colour variants, one more brownish, the other paler grey. Its call is described as a loud explosive ticking.