General Description
Tiny warbler with golden or buff head, heavily streaked with darker markings. Pale brown or golden collar around the back of the neck, brown with dark streaking all over back and upper wings. Black eye and pale brown, fine, slightly downward-curved bill. During breeding periods, the heads of the males are pale orange, with a short, ragged erect crest. Length (breeding) 9.5 cm, (non-breeding) 11 cm, wingspan 15 cm.
Biology
These very active birds are seldom still, cocking their tail when singing or when alarmed, and often flicking their wings and tail when perched. They forage for insects by hopping or creeping on the ground.
Distribution
Through Asia, from north-eastern India, through south-east Asia. Eastern, South-eastern and Northern Australia.
Habitat
Dense grasslands, often near water. Also irrigated pastures and crops.
More Information
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Animal Type
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Animal SubType
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Brief Id
Tiny warbler, brown and buff with dark streaks. Breeding males have an orange, crested hood
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Colours
Brown
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Maximum Size
11 cm
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Habitats
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Diet
Omnivore
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Diet Categories
Invertebrates, Seeds
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Endemicity
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Commercial
No
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Conservation Statuses
CITES: Not listed, FFG Threatened List: Not listed, EPBC Act 1999: Not listed, IUCN Red List: Least Concern
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Taxon Name
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Common Name
Golden-headed Cisticola
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Kingdom
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Phylum
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Subphylum
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Class
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Order
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Family
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Genus
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Species Name
exilis