Desert Cisticola
Desert CisticolaDesert CisticolaDesert CisticolaDesert Cisticola

Desert Cisticola

Cisticola aridulus

Silhouette: Sheatherius · PhyloPic

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck
at Serengeti National Park
356 Verified sightings at Serengeti National Park From 2019 to 2026
1,679 Verified sightings across all 27 parks From 2019 to 2026
March Best month highest sighting rate
☀️ 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 Serengeti National Park

Rattling Cisticola
LC

Rattling Cisticola

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cisticola chiniana

Daily sighting probability ~40% · Likely
Zitting Cisticola
LC

Zitting Cisticola

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cisticola juncidis

Daily sighting probability ~20% · Possible
Winding Cisticola
LC

Winding Cisticola

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cisticola marginatus

Daily sighting probability ~20% · Possible
Croaking Cisticola
LC

Croaking Cisticola

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cisticola natalensis

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck
Pectoral-patch Cisticola
LC

Pectoral-patch Cisticola

☀️🌙 Day & Night Bird

Cisticola brunnescens

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck
Stout Cisticola
LC

Stout Cisticola

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cisticola robustus

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck
Tabora Cisticola
LC

Tabora Cisticola

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cisticola angusticauda

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
Trilling Cisticola
LC

Trilling Cisticola

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cisticola woosnami

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
Black-necked Cisticola
LC

Black-necked Cisticola

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cisticola eximius

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
Red-faced Cisticola
LC

Red-faced Cisticola

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cisticola erythrops

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
Singing Cisticola
LC

Singing Cisticola

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cisticola cantans

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
Rock-loving Cisticola
LC

Rock-loving Cisticola

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cisticola aberrans

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare

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

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Desert Cisticola in Serengeti National Park?

About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Desert Cisticola sighting in Serengeti National Park, based on 356 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Desert Cisticola in Serengeti National Park?

March has the highest sighting rate for Desert Cisticola in Serengeti National Park in our monthly data.

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