Desert Cisticola

Cisticola aridulus

Silhouette: Sheatherius · PhyloPic

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered

KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
PhylumChordata (Chordates)
ClassAves (Birds)
OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
FamilyCisticolidae (Cisticolas and Allies)
GenusCisticola (Cisticolas)
SpeciesCisticola aridulus (Desert Cisticola)

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data

at Meru National Park

1 Verified sightings at Meru National Park From 2019 to 2026

1,679 Verified sightings across all 27 parks From 2019 to 2026

☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

About the Desert Cisticola

The desert cisticola (Cisticola aridulus) is a species of bird in the family Cisticolidae. It is present throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa, although relatively absent from central and coastal western areas of the continent.

It is an insectivore. It forages primarily in grassy vegetation. Desert cisticola - Species text in The Atlas of Southern African Birds. Wikipedia →

Closest Relatives at Meru National Park

Cisticola cinereolus

Daily sighting probability ~40% · Likely

Cisticola nana

Daily sighting probability ~20% · Possible

Cisticola juncidis

Daily sighting probability ~20% · Possible

Cisticola marginatus

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare

Cisticola haematocephalus

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data

Cisticola chiniana

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data

Calamonastes simplex

Daily sighting probability ~40% · Likely

Camaroptera brachyura

Daily sighting probability ~30% · Possible

Apalis flavida

Daily sighting probability ~20% · Possible

Prinia subflava

Daily sighting probability ~20% · Possible

Prinia somalica

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data

Eremomela icteropygialis

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data

See all 12 relatives Show fewer

Global Distribution

Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.

Parks Where Found

#	Park	Country	Daily sighting probability
1	Etosha National Park	🇳🇦 Namibia	~20%
2	Mikumi National Park	🇹🇿 Tanzania	~10%
3	Nairobi National Park	🇰🇪 Kenya	~10%
4	Samburu National Reserve	🇰🇪 Kenya	~10%
5	Tarangire National Park	🇹🇿 Tanzania	~10%
6	Serengeti National Park	🇹🇿 Tanzania	~10%
7	Ngorongoro Conservation Area	🇹🇿 Tanzania	~10%
8	Tsavo West National Park	🇰🇪 Kenya	<5%
9	Kafue National Park	🇿🇲 Zambia	<5%
10	Masai Mara National Reserve	🇰🇪 Kenya	<5%
11	Amboseli National Park	🇰🇪 Kenya	<5%
12	Ruaha National Park	🇹🇿 Tanzania	<5%
13	Moremi Game Reserve	🇧🇼 Botswana	<5%
14	Tsavo East National Park	🇰🇪 Kenya	<5%
15	Kruger National Park	🇿🇦 South Africa	<5%
16	Pilanesberg National Park	🇿🇦 South Africa	<5%
17	Arusha National Park	🇹🇿 Tanzania	<5%
18	Hwange National Park	🇿🇼 Zimbabwe	<5%
19	Lake Nakuru National Park	🇰🇪 Kenya	<5%
20	Gonarezhou National Park	🇿🇼 Zimbabwe	Insufficient data
21	Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park	🇿🇦 South Africa	Insufficient data
22	Lake Manyara National Park	🇹🇿 Tanzania	Insufficient data
23	Meru National Park	🇰🇪 Kenya	Insufficient data
24	Mkomazi National Park	🇹🇿 Tanzania	Insufficient data
25	Addo Elephant National Park	🇿🇦 South Africa	Insufficient data
26	Chobe National Park	🇧🇼 Botswana	Insufficient data
27	Namib-Naukluft National Park	🇳🇦 Namibia	Insufficient data

← Back to Meru National Park

Desert Cisticola

About the Desert Cisticola

Recent sightings of Desert Cisticola in Meru National Park

Closest Relatives at Meru National Park

Ashy Cisticola

Tiny Cisticola

Zitting Cisticola

Winding Cisticola

Coastal Cisticola

Rattling Cisticola

Gray Wren-Warbler

Green-backed Camaroptera

Yellow-breasted Apalis

Tawny-flanked Prinia

Pale Prinia

Yellow-bellied Eremomela

Global Distribution

Parks Where Found