Early in December 2021, I came across a Golden-headed Cisticola while searching for a Reed Warbler previously seen on the Leongatha Rail trail.
Then again, a couple of weeks later, at the location, a Cisticola was vocalizing atop a wild Apple tree beside the trail. The Cisticola bird is so tiny that its soft call indicates its location; otherwise, they are rarely seen in any detail, if seen at all. I have photographed the same bird again at the apple tree, making me think it may have nested in the tree, but I have yet to see the female. They create a nest by using cobwebs to sew leaves of the tree together to form [and conceal] a nest. (also known as the Tailor bird)
“The Golden-headed Cisticola (Cisticola exilis), is a very small insectivorous bird growing to 9–11.5 cm (3.5–4.5 in) long, wingspan 15 cm.”
“Golden-headed refers only to the summer breeding plumage of the male bird and in winter he adopts a streaked crown that closely resembles a female.”
“During the breeding season, the male Golden-headed Cisticola has a golden-orange head, which is crested when calling, with a paler chin and throat, and a boldly streaked black to dark grey and golden body. The tail is black, with paler tips, and is shorter [9cm] during breeding season. Females resemble non-breeding males, with buff-brown upper parts, heavily streaked black and dark brown, with a golden-buff rump and nape of neck. The underparts are cream with buff tints; the wings are black, with each feather edged buff. Young birds resemble the female but are duller.” – iNaturalist
“Cisticola population is of least concern – increasing.”
