Cisticolidae – Cisticolas, Prinia, Tailorbirds & Allies
The Cisticolidae family of small passerines is a group of about 164 warblers found mainly in warmer southern regions of the Old World. This family probably originated in Africa, which has the majority of species, but there are representatives of the family across tropical Asia into Australasia, and one species, the Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis, even breeds in Europe.
In 2025 it even bred as far north as the United Kingdom.
These fine-billed, long-tailed, warbler-like birds reach their greatest diversity in Africa, with good numbers in Asia and very few in Australia.
They are generally very small birds of drab brown or grey appearance found in open country such as grassland or scrub and prefer wet areas.
They are often difficult to see and many species are similar in appearance, so the song is often the best identification guide. The many different Cisticola species vary dramatically in size and in the character of their trilled songs. In many habitats of the Old-World, these songs are some of the most characteristic and often-heard.
|
|
|
|
Cambodian Tailorbird Orthotomus chaktomuk |
Banded Prinia Prinia bairdii |
|
|
|
|
Dark-necked Tailorbird Orthotomus atrogularis |
Black-backed Cisticola Cisticola eximius |
|
|
|
|
Drakensberg Prinia Prinia hypoxantha |
Red-fronted Prinia Prinia rufifrons |
|
All six photos courtesy of ©Dubi Shapiro |
|
The apalises are the most boldly coloured and patterned in the family, and the cisticolas have the most species.
Rudd’s Apalis Apalis ruddi – ©Dubi Shapiro
They are insectivorous birds which nest low in vegetation. They were often included within the Old-World warbler family Sylviidae. However, this family has been re-ordered and added too since DNA sequencing and there have been a number of re-namings and splits.
Rufous-tailed Tailorbird Orthotomus sericeus – ©Dubi Shapiro
Cisticolas reach reproductive maturity rapidly and their high-throughput life history may be what makes them especially attractive as hosts for brood parasites, including cuckoos, honeyguides, and viduids.
-
Number of bird species: 164
(As at November 2025)
According to the recently (2025) amalgamated AviList, there are one hundred and sixty-four species, in twenty-seven genera in the family. They are:
Common Jery Neomixis tenella
Green Jery Neomixis viridis
Stripe-throated Jery Neomixis striatigula
Visayan Miniature Babbler Micromacronus leytensis
Mindanao Miniature Babbler Micromacronus sordidus
Yellow-vented Eremomela Eremomela flavicrissalis
Yellow-bellied Eremomela Eremomela icteropygialis
Senegal Eremomela Eremomela pusilla
Green-backed Eremomela Eremomela canescens
Green-capped Eremomela Eremomela scotops
Karoo Eremomela Eremomela gregalis
Rufous-crowned Eremomela Eremomela badiceps
Turner’s Eremomela Eremomela turneri
Black-necked Eremomela Eremomela atricollis
Burnt-necked Eremomela Eremomela usticollis
Red-winged Grey Warbler Drymocichla incana
Sierra Leone Prinia Schistolais leontica
White-chinned Prinia Schistolais leucopogon
Roberts’s Warbler Oreophilais robertsi
Namaqua Warbler Phragmacia substriata
Green Longtail Urolais epichlorus
Ruwenzori Apalis Oreolais ruwenzorii
Black-collared Apalis Oreolais pulcher
Red-capped Forest Warbler Artisornis metopias
Long-billed Forest Warbler Artisornis moreaui
White-tailed Warbler Poliolais lopezi
Miombo Wren-Warbler Calamonastes undosus
Stierling’s Wren-Warbler Calamonastes stierlingi
Grey Wren-Warbler Calamonastes simplex
Barred Wren-Warbler Calamonastes fasciolatus
Green-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brachyura
Hartert’s Camaroptera Camaroptera harterti
Yellow-browed Camaroptera Camaroptera superciliaris
Olive-green Camaroptera Camaroptera chloronota
Cricket Warbler Spiloptila clamans
Buff-bellied Warbler Phyllolais pulchella
Bar-throated Apalis Apalis thoracica
Taita Apalis Apalis fuscigularis
Yellow-throated Apalis Apalis flavigularis
Namuli Apalis Apalis lynesi
Black-capped Apalis Apalis nigriceps
Black-throated Apalis Apalis jacksoni
White-winged Apalis Apalis chariessa
Lowland Masked Apalis Apalis binotata
Mountain Masked Apalis Apalis personata
Yellow-breasted Apalis Apalis flavida
Rudd’s Apalis Apalis ruddi
Sharpe’s Apalis Apalis sharpii
Buff-throated Apalis Apalis rufogularis
Kungwe Apalis Apalis argentea
Bamenda Apalis Apalis bamendae
Gosling’s Apalis Apalis goslingi
Kabobo Apalis Apalis kaboboensis
Chestnut-throated Apalis Apalis porphyrolaema
Chapin’s Apalis Apalis chapini
Black-headed Apalis Apalis melanocephala
Chirinda Apalis Apalis chirindensis
Grey Apalis Apalis cinerea
Brown-headed Apalis Apalis alticola
Karamoja Apalis Apalis karamojae
Maasai Apalis Apalis stronachi
Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius
Rufous-fronted Tailorbird Orthotomus frontalis
Dark-necked Tailorbird Orthotomus atrogularis
Cambodian Tailorbird Orthotomus chaktomuk
Ashy Tailorbird Orthotomus ruficeps
Olive-backed Tailorbird Orthotomus sepium
Rufous-tailed Tailorbird Orthotomus sericeus
Philippine Tailorbird Orthotomus castaneiceps
Grey-backed Tailorbird Orthotomus derbianus
Trilling Tailorbird Orthotomus chloronotus
Yellow-breasted Tailorbird Orthotomus samarensis
Black-headed Tailorbird Orthotomus nigriceps
White-eared Tailorbird Orthotomus cinereiceps
Striated Prinia Prinia crinigera
Striped Prinia Prinia striata
Burmese Prinia Prinia cooki
Annam Prinia Prinia rocki
Brown Prinia Prinia polychroa
Black-throated Prinia Prinia atrogularis
Rufous-crowned Prinia Prinia khasiana
Hill Prinia Prinia superciliaris
Grey-crowned Prinia Prinia cinereocapilla
Rufous-fronted Prinia Prinia buchanani
Rufescent Prinia Prinia rufescens
Grey-breasted Prinia Prinia hodgsonii
Bar-winged Prinia Prinia familiaris
Graceful Prinia Prinia gracilis
Delicate Prinia Prinia lepida
Jungle Prinia Prinia sylvatica
Yellow-bellied Prinia Prinia flaviventris
Ashy Prinia Prinia socialis
Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava
Plain Prinia Prinia inornata
Pale Prinia Prinia somalica
River Prinia Prinia fluviatilis
Black-chested Prinia Prinia flavicans
Karoo Prinia Prinia maculosa
Drakensberg Prinia Prinia hypoxantha
Sao Tome Prinia Prinia molleri
Banded Prinia Prinia bairdii
Red-winged Prinia Prinia erythroptera
Red-fronted Prinia Prinia rufifrons
Cinnamon-breasted Warbler Euryptila subcinnamomea
Winifred’s Warbler Scepomycter winifredae
Socotra Warbler Incana incana
Rufous-eared Warbler Malcorus pectoralis
Oriole Warbler Hypergerus atriceps
Oriole Warbler Hypergerus atriceps
Grey-capped Warbler Eminia lepida
Black-headed Rufous Warbler Bathmocercus cerviniventris
Black-faced Rufous Warbler Bathmocercus rufus
Red-faced Cisticola Cisticola erythrops
Singing Cisticola Cisticola cantans
Whistling Cisticola Cisticola lateralis
Chattering Cisticola Cisticola anonymus
Trilling Cisticola Cisticola woosnami
Bubbling Cisticola Cisticola bulliens
Chubb’s Cisticola Cisticola chubbi
Hunter’s Cisticola Cisticola hunteri
Black-lored Cisticola Cisticola nigriloris
Kilomero Cisticola Cisticola bakerorum
Rock-loving Cisticola Cisticola aberrans
Huambo Cisticola Cisticola bailunduensis
Boran Cisticola Cisticola bodessa
Rattling Cisticola Cisticola chiniana
Ashy Cisticola Cisticola cinereolus
Red-pate Cisticola Cisticola ruficeps
Dorst’s Cisticola Cisticola guinea
Tinkling Cisticola Cisticola rufilatus
Grey-backed Cisticola Cisticola subruficapilla
Lynes’s Cisticola Cisticola distinctus
Wailing Cisticola Cisticola lais
Tana River Cisticola Cisticola restrictus
Churring Cisticola Cisticola njombe
Coastal Cisticola Cisticola haematocephalus
White-tailed Cisticola Cisticola anderseni
Luapula Cisticola Cisticola luapula
Chirping Cisticola Cisticola pipiens
Ethiopian Cisticola Cisticola lugubris
Winding Cisticola Cisticola marginatus
Rufous-winged Cisticola Cisticola galactotes
Carruthers’s Cisticola Cisticola carruthersi
Levaillant’s Cisticola Cisticola tinniens
Stout Cisticola Cisticola robustus
Croaking Cisticola Cisticola natalensis
Neddicky Cisticola fulvicapilla
Aberdare Cisticola Cisticola aberdare
Long-tailed Cisticola Cisticola angusticauda
Black-tailed Cisticola Cisticola melanurus
Short-winged Cisticola Cisticola brachypterus
Rufous Cisticola Cisticola rufus
Foxy Cisticola Cisticola troglodytes
Tiny Cisticola Cisticola nana
Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis
Socotra Cisticola Cisticola haesitatus
Madagascan Cisticola Cisticola cherina
Desert Cisticola Cisticola aridulus
Cloud Cisticola Cisticola textrix
Black-backed Cisticola Cisticola eximius
Dambo Cisticola Cisticola dambo
Pectoral-patch Cisticola Cisticola brunnescens
Pale-crowned Cisticola Cisticola cinnamomeus
Wing-snapping Cisticola Cisticola ayresii
Golden-headed Cisticola Cisticola exilis
-
Cisticolidae
Family AccountThese fine-billed, long-tailed, warbler-like birds reach their greatest diversity in Africa, with good numbers in Asia and very few in Australia. -
Cisticolidae
Family AccountThe family Cisticolidae is a group of about 160 warblers, small passerine birds found mainly in warmer southern regions of the Old World.
Given the number of species in this family, Fatbirder does not provide quick links to all of them. However, the entries below do include links to representatives of every genera, all those illustrated and some of the most often encountered, iconic or sought-after species.
-
Ashy Prinia Prinia socialis
Species AccountThe ashy prinia or ashy wren-warbler (Prinia socialis) is a small warbler. This prinia is a resident breeder in the Indian subcontinent... -
Ashy Prinia Prinia socialis
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Banded Prinia Prinia bairdii
Species AccountThe banded prinia (Prinia bairdii) is a species of bird in the family Cisticolidae. It is native to central Africa. -
Banded Prinia Prinia bairdii
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Black-backed Cisticola Cisticola eximius
Species AccountBlack-backed Cisticola Cisticola eximius A tiny, short-tailed, streaky cisticola. Note the rufous rump and variably rufous flanks. -
Black-backed Cisticola Cisticola eximius
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Buff-bellied Warbler Phyllolais pulchella
Species AccountThe buff-bellied warbler (Phyllolais pulchella) is a species of bird in the family Cisticolidae -
Buff-bellied Warbler Phyllolais pulchella
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Cambodian Tailorbird Orthotomus chaktomuk
Species AccountThe Cambodian tailorbird (Orthotomus chaktomuk) is a species of bird endemic to Cambodia... -
Cambodian Tailorbird Orthotomus chaktomuk
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Cinnamon-breasted Warbler Euryptila subcinnamomea
Species AccountA furtive dark brown warbler of rocky gorges, dry river valleys, and boulder-strewn outcrops in semi-arid terrain. -
Cinnamon-breasted Warbler Euryptila subcinnamomea
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Common Jery Neomixis tenella
Species AccountSmall, energetic, sharp-billed warbler. Always shows gray on the back of the neck and usually a lightly striped throat, though there is regional variation. -
Common Jery Neomixis tenella
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius
Species AccountThe common tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius) is a songbird found across tropical Asia. Popular for its nest made of leaves "sewn" together. -
Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Cricket Warbler Spiloptila clamans
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Cricket Warbler Spiloptila clamans
Species AccountThe cricket warbler (Spiloptila clamans), also known as cricket longtail, scaly longtail or cricket prinia, is a species of bird in the family Cisticolidae. -
Dark-necked Tailorbird Orthotomus atrogularis
Species AccountA brightly-colored tailorbird of lowland tropical forests, forest edges, and gardens. Long-billed with olive upperparts, pale underparts, and a rufous crown. -
Dark-necked Tailorbird Orthotomus atrogularis
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Drakensberg Prinia Prinia hypoxantha
Species AccountThe Drakensberg prinia or saffron-breasted prinia (Prinia hypoxantha) is a small passerine bird. It lives in eastern South Africa and Eswatini. -
Drakensberg Prinia Prinia hypoxantha
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Golden-headed Cisticola Cisticola exilis
Species AccountTiny, sandy-colored bird with short tail and dark-streaked back. Breeding adult males have orange-gold crown. -
Golden-headed Cisticola Cisticola exilis
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Green Longtail Urolais epichlorus
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Green Longtail Urolais epichlorus
Species AccountA distinctive apalis-like bird of scrub and forest edge in the mountains, where it is commonly encountered in small family groups. -
Green-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brachyura
Species AccountGreen-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brachyura A small, rotund, wren-like warbler of the understory ... -
Green-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brachyura
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Grey Wren-Warbler Calamonastes simplex
Species AccountThe grey wren-warbler (Calamonastes simplex) is a species of bird in the family Cisticolidae. It is found in Angola, Burundi... -
Grey Wren-Warbler Calamonastes simplex
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Grey-capped Warbler Eminia lepida
Species AccountThe grey-capped warbler (Eminia lepida) is a species of bird in the family Cisticolidae. It is monotypic (only species) in the genus Eminia. -
Grey-capped Warbler Eminia lepida
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Karoo Eremomela Eremomela gregalis
Species AccountA small plain warbler with a gray-green back, wings and crown, a grayish face, silver-gray underparts, and a contrasting white chin and throat. -
Karoo Eremomela Eremomela gregalis
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Long-billed Forest Warbler Artisornis moreaui
Species AccountThe long-billed forest warbler (Artisornis moreaui), also known as the long-billed tailorbird, is a songbird of the family Cisticolidae. -
Long-billed Forest Warbler Artisornis moreaui
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Mindanao Miniature Babbler Micromacronus sordidus
Species AccountThe Mindanao miniature babbler (Micromacronus sordidus) also known as the Mindanao plumed-warbler is a bird species in the family Cisticolidae. -
Mindanao Miniature Babbler Micromacronus sordidus
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Namaqua Warbler Phragmacia substriata
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map.... -
Namaqua Warbler Phragmacia substriata
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Oriole Warbler Hypergerus atriceps
Species AccountA large warbler with a long tail and bill. Odd and unique, with a somewhat oriole-like coloration: a black hood with white scaling, an olive-green back... -
Oriole Warbler Hypergerus atriceps
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Pale-crowned Cisticola Cisticola cinnamomeus
Species AccountTiny, short-tailed, streaky, brown cisticola. Distinctive breeding male has a pale crown and dark lores. Female and non-breeding male have a streaked crown. -
Pale-crowned Cisticola Cisticola cinnamomeus
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Rattling Cisticola Cisticola chiniana
Species AccountThe rattling cisticola (Cisticola chiniana) is a species of bird in the family Cisticolidae which is native to Africa south of the equator... -
Rattling Cisticola Cisticola chiniana
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Red-fronted Prinia Prinia rufifrons
Species AccountA long-tailed, slim, distinctive warbler of dry country. Gray-brown on the upperparts and whitish below, with white marks on the wing and outer tail. -
Red-fronted Prinia Prinia rufifrons
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Red-winged Grey Warbler Drymocichla incana
Species AccountThe red-winged grey warbler (Drymocichla incana) is a small to medium size bird in the family Cisticolidae that is native to Central Africa. -
Red-winged Grey Warbler Drymocichla incana
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Roberts's Warbler Oreophilais robertsi
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Roberts's Warbler Oreophilais robertsi
Species AccountA dull gray-brown prinia-like warbler with a long and graduated tail, pale gray throat, ochre eyes, and pinkish legs. -
Rudd's Apalis Apalis ruddi
Species AccountA slender warbler that is gray and green above and pale below with a distinctive black throat band (narrower in the female), a short eyebrow, and a dark eye... -
Rudd's Apalis Apalis ruddi
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Rufous-eared Warbler Malcorus pectoralis
Species AccountA long-tailed, pale prinia-like warbler with a rufous facial patch on the side of the head and a neat black band across the throat on otherwise white... -
Rufous-eared Warbler Malcorus pectoralis
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Ruwenzori Apalis Oreolais ruwenzorii
Species AccountThe Rwenzori apalis or collared apalis (Oreolais ruwenzorii) is a species of bird. It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda. -
Ruwenzori Apalis Oreolais ruwenzorii
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Socotra Warbler Incana incana
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Socotra Warbler Incana incana
Species AccountThe Socotra warbler (Incana incana) is a species of bird in the family Cisticolidae. It is monotypic within the genus Incana. It is endemic to Socotra. -
White-chinned Prinia Schistolais leucopogon
Species AccountUnusual, broad-tailed prinia with a white throat. Also note the black cheek and white in the outer tail. Found in the thick understory of forest. -
White-chinned Prinia Schistolais leucopogon
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
White-tailed Warbler Poliolais lopezi
Species AccountAn easily overlooked, diminutive warbler of montane forests, where it is often found in shaded thickets. -
White-tailed Warbler Poliolais lopezi
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Winifred's Warbler Scepomycter winifredae
Species AccountWinifred's warbler (Scepomycter winifredae), also known as Mrs. Moreau's warbler, is a species of bird in the family Cisticolidae. -
Winifred's Warbler Scepomycter winifredae
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis
Species AccountImage and species profile -
Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map