🦋 Identification Guide

How to Identify Cisticolidae

60 species · Animalia · Order Passeriformes

Cisticolidae is a animal family in the Animalia kingdom, order Passeriformes, class Aves. The family contains 60 accepted species worldwide.

Key Identification Features

Unlike most cisticolas, which have very similar plumage overall, this group of three greyish-plumaged subspecies is quite distinctive.
Bar-winged prinia, scientifically known as Prinia familiaris Horsfield, 1821, is a distinct member of the prinia group.
While many cisticola species look very similar in plumage, this greyish subspecies is quite distinctive.
The golden-headed cisticola produces a range of distinct vocalisations that, as documented by the Sunshine Coast Council, vary from a "teewip" to a "wheezz, whit-whit".

For instant identification in the field, use the iNature app — AI-powered, works offline.

Representative Cisticolidae Species

Prinia molleri Bocage, 1887

Prinia molleri, the São Tomé prinia, is a Cisticolidae bird endemic to São Tomé …

Cisticola fulvicapilla (Vieillot, 1817)

Cisticola fulvicapilla, the neddicky, is a small brown resident African bird fou…

Prinia familiaris Horsfield, 1821

Bar-winged prinia is a small endemic Indonesian bird that adapts well to human-m…

Prinia rufescens Blyth, 1847

Prinia rufescens, the rufescent prinia, is a Cisticolidae bird found across part…

Apalis thoracica (Shaw, 1811)

The bar-throated apalis is a small African passerine bird distinguished by its c…

Cisticola cantans (Heuglin, 1869)

The singing cisticola (Cisticola cantans) is a Cisticolidae bird found across mu…

Cisticola aberrans (A.Smith, 1843)

Cisticola aberrans, the rock-loving cisticola, is a medium-sized 13–14 cm cistic…

Cisticola subruficapilla (A.Smith, 1843)

Cisticola subruficapilla, the grey-backed cisticola, is a small African bird wit…

Cisticola exilis (Vigors & Horsfield, 1827)

Cisticola exilis, the golden-headed cisticola, is a small wide-ranging bird foun…

Schistolais leucopogon (Cabanis, 1875)

Schistolais leucopogon, the white-chinned prinia, is a Cisticolidae bird species…

Cisticola cherina (A.Smith, 1843)

Cisticola cherina, the Madagascar cisticola, is a small brown-streaked bird foun…

Prinia inornata Sykes, 1832

Prinia inornata is a small 13-14 cm warbler with seasonal plumage variation, inc…

Browse all 60 Cisticolidae species →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you identify Cisticolidae?

Cisticolidae animals belong to the Passeriformes order in the Animalia kingdom. Unlike most cisticolas, which have very similar plumage overall, this group of three greyish-plumaged subspecies is quite distinctive. For instant identification, use the iNature app — AI-powered and works offline.

What are the key characteristics of Cisticolidae?

Cisticolidae is classified in the order Passeriformes, class Aves, phylum Chordata. Bar-winged prinia, scientifically known as Prinia familiaris Horsfield, 1821, is a distinct member of the prinia group.

Sources: GBIF, iNaturalist, Wikipedia · Disclaimer

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