Tinkling Cisticola
(Rooitinktinkie)
Cisticola rufilatus
Records: 42
Drafted by: Etienne Marais
Draft Text Last Updated: 7 November 2005
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Distribution:
This species appears to be restricted to the North-east of the region from Cullinan northwards, with known strongholds in the Seringveld Conservancy, The de Tweedespruit Conservancy, Leeupoort Collaborative reserve (north of Moloto) and Mabusa Nature Reserve, in Western Mpumalanga (north of Verena) .
Other localities where it has been recorded include Windybrow Nature Reserve (A Marx), Mdala Nature Reserve (R Geddes), Mkhombo Dam NR (E, Marais), and at two different localities in the Wilge River Valley (F van Vuuren, R Geddes and E Marais). There is also a single record of the species from Borakolalo National Park (E Ehlers).
Reports of the species from Suikerbosrand have in this account, been treated with caution and require confirmation.
The BLNG ringing group has ringed the species in the de Tweedespruit Conservancy.
Gaps in Knowledge:
Unlike most cisticolas, the Tinkling Cisticola can be rather secretive in its behaviour, and is thus hard to find and easily overlooked even in areas where it may be common. Old records from near Rustenburg and north of Pretoria have not been confirmed. Large tracts of apparently suitable habitat from Cullinan to the north of our region have not been thoroughly searched for the species.
Habitat: The species appears to be restricted to transitional broadleaved woodland on sandy soils and seems to be most often associated with the edges of Burkea africana, where some of the trees are stunted, and low shrubs and ground cover exists. It shows a distinct preference for areas in the transitional zone between taller woodland and more scrubby areas with stunted trees or shrubs. At Mkhombo it was recorded in acacia scrub with substantial dichrostacus scrub and some taller trees.
Status and movements:
Highly localised in distribution and apparently resident. Repeat visits to known localities in the Seringveld and de Tweedespruit conservancies have resulted in the birds being located within 100m of the same point during different seasons of the year.
Population:
Despite the low recording rate the amount of suitable habitat and density of this species in suitable habitat suggests that there may be a stable breeding population in excess of 1000 birds in the area.
Conservation: Because of low numbers and importance to birding tourism in the region, note needs to be taken of the protected habitat where this species is conserved. However given the status and threats to this habitat in some of the main conservation areas it does not appear to be threatened and the population may be relatively stable.
Drafted by: Etienne Marais
DRAFT MAPS SHOWING CHANGES IN KNOWN DISTRIBUTION
Map from SABAP
Map with PCC data added
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