The Madagascar cisticola (Cisticola cherina) is a species of bird in the cisticola family (Cisticolidae). It inhabits areas to the west of the ˞Indian Ocean. It forms a superspecies with the closely related zitting cisticola and the Socotra cisticola.
| Madagascar cisticola | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Cisticolidae |
| Genus: | Cisticola |
| Species: | C. cherina
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| Binomial name | |
| Cisticola cherina (Smith, 1843)
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Description edit
Madagascar 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.[2]
Distribution and habitat edit
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.[2] 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.
Diet edit
Madagascar cisticolas are insectivores.[3] They eat crickets and other insects.[3] They tend to forage near cacti.[3]
References edit
- ^ BirdLife International (2016). "Cisticola cherina". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22713508A94377236. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22713508A94377236.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ a b Skerrett A, Bullock I & Disley T (2001) Birds of Seychelles. Helm Field Guides ISBN 0-7136-3973-3
- ^ a b c Andriamparany, Rivolala; Lundberg, Jacob; Pyykönen, Markku; Wurz, Sebastian; Elmqvist, Thomas (2020), "The Effect of Introduced Opuntia (Cactaceae) Species on Landscape Connectivity and Ecosystem Service Provision in Southern Madagascar", Science for Sustainable Societies, Singapore: Springer Singapore, pp. 145–166, ISBN 978-981-15-5357-8, retrieved 2024-03-17
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