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Golden-headed Cisticola

(Cisticola exilis)
Size: 9-11 cm

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

There are four races of Golden-headed Cisticolas in Australia - for details on their individual distributions see a field guide. Altogether they are found along the north and east coast of the continent. Their range extends from about Onslow, WA, along the north coast and all through the tropical north, i.e. the Kimberleys, the northern half of the NT and QLD, including Cape York peninsula, along the east coast and associated ranges of the Great Dividing Range of QLD and NSW, through southern VIC and into the south-eastern part of SA, including the area just to the east of Adelaide, SA. They are not found in the southern alps, south-west of Canberra, ACT, but throughout most of the Murray River catchment.

Golden-headed Cisticolas can be found in reeds and tall grass, usually near water.

Sightings

A Golden-headed Cisticola was first observed by us at Narrabri Lake, in Narrabri, NSW, in August 2008. If the bird had not been calling softly from the reeds, it would have gone unnoticed. More birds were found in the same location in January 2009.

Also seen at Macquarie Marshes NR in April 2011 and at Goran Lake, an ephemeral lake 30 km south of Gunnedah, NSW, in June-October 2011.

Spotted also in some coastal wetlands in the estuary of the Hunter River, near Newcastle, NSW, in June 2011 and in the estuary of the Manning River in September 2011.

Photos

Frontal view of a male Golden-headed Cisticola in breeding plumage

The same bird as shown above, now seen laterally...

... and now seen issuing its call

Dorsal view of a male Golden-headed Cisticola in breeding plumage; it is marking its territory (in a reed-lined swamp) from an overhead power line

Frontal view of a Golden-headed Cisticola in non-breeding plumage with its head turned

This photo shows most clearly the pattern of the tail feathers

Lateral view of a bird in non-breeding plumage

Frontal view of a Golden-headed Cisticola in non-breeding plumage displaying its double crest (slightly out of focus)

Here the same bird seen from behind

Depending on the light conditions, the plumage can appear to be much darker...

Another bird seen from behind

Two slightly different views of an immature Golden-headed Cisticola

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Territorial Mobility: Sedentary Elementary unit: Pair