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Coastal Cisticola (Cisticola haematocephalus)

Coastal Cisticola

Cisticola haematocephalus

Least Concern

Overview

The coastal cisticola (Cisticola haematocephalus), also known as the umbabird or Mombasa black-backed cisticola, is a species of bird in the family Cisticolidae. It is a monotypic taxon that has been split from the winding cisticola by the IOC and HBW, though some world lists still consider it part of the latter.

Habitat

This species is found on the coastal plain of East Africa, ranging from southern Somalia to north-eastern Tanzania between 5°N and 10°S. Its natural habitats consist of tropical seasonally wet or flooded lowland grassland and swamps.

Did you know?

Although currently classified as a distinct species by the IOC and HBW, the Clements and Howard & Moore world lists consider it to be part of the winding cisticola (C. galactotes), highlighting the ongoing debate regarding its taxonomy.

Sources