Golden-Headed Cisticola

Why in News?

According to bird watchers, the recent discovery of a golden-headed cisticola in the southern Western Ghats marks the 1^st sighting after an extensive gap.

• It is a tiny bird, shines brightly with its golden crown and captivating song.
• Scientific Name – Cisticola exilis.
• Discovered in – Mathikettan Shola National Park, Idukki, Kerala.
• It is known as Bright-Capped Cisticola.
• Habitat – Grasslands, sub-coastal areas, wetlands, savannas, woodlands, scrublands, swamp margins, rivers, and irrigated farmlands.
• Distribution – Western Australia, north-east to Darwin, Cape York and India and southern China.

Golden-Headed Cisticola has been observed in parts of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, northern Kerala and 1^st time found in the southern part of the Palakkad gap in the Western Ghats.

• Morphology – Small, sandy-colored bird with short tail, cream-colored underside and brown upper side.
• Streaks of black or dark brown on the upper part of their body, black wings, golden head, throat is white and back of their neck is dull shade of gold.

• Sexual dimorphism
  • Male – Has distinct golden-orange plumage on their head, neck, and chest during breeding.
  • It also has pinkish beaks and black streaks on their backs.
• Call – It produces a variety of sounds distinct from other birds range from a teewip to wheezz, whit-whit.
• Diet – It is omnivorous, feed on invertebrates such as insects, small slugs, and eat grass seeds.
• Threats – Urbanization
  • Land development
  • Changes in agricultural practices
  • Wetland degradation.
• Conservation Status
• IUCN – Least Concern.
• Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 – Schedule II.

References

1. The Hindu| Golden-headed Cisticola
2. Thai National Parks| Bright-capped cisticola
3. Simply Birding| Golden-headed Cisticola’s Threats