Levaillant's Cisticola

Afrikaans name: Vleitinktinkie

Levaillant's Cisticola

Photo © Steven Herbert

Cisticola tinneins

The Levaillant's Cisticola has a fairly wide distribution in Africa south of the Sahara.It is found over most of South Africa.

This species is found in damp grasslands, marshes, on the edge of reedbeds and anywhere else that has grass or reeds near water.

Levaillant's Cisticolas are insect eating birds. They search amongst the grass for caterpillars and other insects.

They are very similar in looks to the Black-backed Cisticola which has similar habitat requirements. The Black-backed Cisticola is typically found near the coast whereas this species is found over most of the country.

These birds make their ball-shaped nest amongst the grass stalks. It is made from a combination of grass and spider web. Up to 5 eggs are laid and they take nearly 2 weeks to hatch.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	646	Drymodyta tinniens tinniens
2nd	646	Cisticola tinniens
3rd	646	Cisticola tinniens
4th	646	Cisticola tinniens
5th	677	Cisticola tinniens
6th	677	Cisticola tinniens
7th	682	Cisticola tinniens

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	646	Le Vaillant’s Grass Warbler
2nd	646	Le Vaillant’s Cisticola
3rd	646	Le Vaillant’s Cisticola
4th	646	Le Vaillant’s Cisticola
5th	677	Levaillant’s Cisticola
6th	677	Levaillant’s Cisticola
7th	682	Levaillant’s Cisticola

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	646	Vleitingtinkie
2nd	646	Vleitingtinkie
3rd	646	Vleitinktinkie
4th	646	Vleitinktinkie
5th	677	Vleitinktinkie
6th	677	Vleitinktinkie
7th	682	Vleitinktinkie

References and further reading

Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 63

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 40

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 273

Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 55

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 338

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 358

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 590

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 588

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 447

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 458

Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 354

Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 354

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 264

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 344

Ian Sinclair s Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 256

Field Guide to Fynbos Fauna - Author: Cliff & Suretha Dorse - Published: 2023 - Page: 180

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 172

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 64

Everyone s Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 52

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 100

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 212

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 88

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 184

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 182

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 228

Birds of Africa south of the Sahara - Author: Ian Sinclair and Peter Ryan - Published: 2003 - Page: 504

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 61

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 61

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 246

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