The Rattling Cisticola (Cisticola chiniana) is a small bird in the Cisticolidae family of warblers. It is also known as the Rattling Fantail-Warbler.

The Rattling Cisticola is brown and grey-brown with rufous-brown feathers on its streaked brown wings. It has a buff-coloured underbelly. It has a brown collar around its neck. Its tail is broad. It has pinkish-grey legs. 

It grows to about 10-12 centimetres (4-5 inches) tall. 

It is native to Africa, south of the equator, in countries such as Kenya, Malawi, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania. 

It prefers open savannahs and dry, damp, or uplands scrublands. It is not migratory. It is residential, staying in the same location. 

The female Rattling Cisticola builds a cup-shaped nest of grass, lined with plant material. The female lays about 4 eggs, which hatch after 14 days. 

[Location of photographs: Tana River, Kenya]

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM