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Golden-headed CisticolaAlternate name(s): "Golden Cisticola", "Golden-headed Fantail Warbler", "Tailorbird", "Barleybird", "Cornbird" Size: 9-11 cm Weight: 6-11 g |
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Similar |
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Photos |
Race "exilis"
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ADULT |
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MALE |
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BREEDING |
Frontal view of a male Golden-headed Cisticola in breeding
plumage
[Goran Lake, NSW, October 2011]
Near-frontal view of a male Golden-headed Cisticola in breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Atkinson Dam, near Lowood, QLD, October 2019]
Near-lateral view of a male Golden-headed Cisticola in breeding
plumage
marking its territory
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Priors Pocket Road, Moggill, QLD, November 2021]
Near-lateral view of a male Golden-headed Cisticola in breeding
plumage
marking its territory
(photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Eastlakes Golf Course, Sydney, NSW, December 2013]
Lateral view of a male Golden-headed Cisticola in breeding
plumage
studying the observer (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Priors Pocket Road, Moggill, QLD, October 2021]
Lateral view of a male Golden-headed Cisticola in breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Priors Pocket Road, Moggill, QLD, October 2021]
Lateral view of a male Golden-headed Cisticola in breeding
plumage
marking its territory
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Priors Pocket Road, Moggill, QLD, October 2021]
Lateral/ventral view of a male Golden-headed Cisticola in breeding
plumage
marking its territory
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Cooloola NP, QLD, December 2017]
Lateral/ventral view of a male Golden-headed Cisticola in breeding
plumage
marking its territory
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Cooloola NP, QLD, December 2017]
Lateral view of a male Golden-headed Cisticola in breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Priors Pocket Road, Moggill, QLD, October 2021]
Near-dorsal view of a male Golden-headed Cisticola in breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Postman's Track, Lake Samsonvale, QLD, November 2019]
Dorsal view of a male Golden-headed Cisticola in breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Eastlakes Golf Course, Sydney, NSW, December 2013]
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FEMALE |
Near-frontal view of a Golden-headed Cisticola; this bird
was found, at the height of the breeding season, together
with a male - it is therefore very likely an adult female,
not a male in non-breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Postman's Track, Lake Samsonvale, QLD, November 2019]
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PAIR |
Near-lateral view of a pair of Golden-headed Cisticolas on a
roadside fence,
male in breeding
plumage
[Eulah Creek, NSW, May 2013]
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NON-BREEDING |
Sex unknown |
Frontal view of a Golden-headed Cisticola in non-breeding
plumage;
this photo shows the erectile crest; note also the typical
tapered pattern on the undertail
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, August 2016]
Near-frontal view of a Golden-headed Cisticola in non-breeding
plumage
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, July 2014]
Near-frontal view of a Golden-headed Cisticola in non-breeding
plumage
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, August 2016]
Near-frontal view of a Golden-headed Cisticola scrambling out of tall
grass,
where is has been feeding on the ground, between the tussocks
[Eulah Creek, NSW, May 2013]
Near-lateral view of a Golden-headed Cisticola in non-breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Atkinson Dam, QLD, March 2019]
Near-lateral view of a Golden-headed Cisticola in non-breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Atkinson Dam, QLD, March 2019]
Near-lateral view of a Golden-headed Cisticola in non-breeding
plumage issuing its
"bzzt-bzzzt" warning
call
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, August 2016]
Near-lateral view of a Golden-headed Cisticola in non-breeding
plumage
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, June 2016]
Lateral view of a Golden-headed Cisticola in non-breeding
plumage issuing
its call
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Atkinson Dam, QLD, March 2019]
Lateral view of a Golden-headed Cisticola in non-breeding
plumage
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, July 2014]
Lateral view of a Golden-headed Cisticola in non-breeding
plumage
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, June 2016]
Lateral view of a male Golden-headed Cisticola in non-breeding
plumage;
the bird was observed launching itself from this vantage point into
a display flight (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[The Spit, Gold Coast, QLD, August 2015]
Near-dorsal view of a Golden-headed Cisticola in non-breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Oxley Common, Brisbane, QLD, August 2017]
Dorsal view of a Golden-headed Cisticola in non-breeding
plumage
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, August 2016]
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IMMATURE/JUVENILE |
Frontal view of a juvenile Golden-headed Cisticola looking sideways
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, March 2013]
Frontal view of a juvenile Golden-headed Cisticola looking sideways
[Goran Lake, NSW, April 2012]
Frontal/ventral view of a juvenile Golden-headed Cisticola
looking sideways
[Old Quipolly Dam, near Quirindi, NSW, February 2018]
Near-frontal view of a Golden-headed Cisticola glimpsing out of dense
reeds
to check whether all is safe
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, March 2013]
Near-lateral view of a juvenile Golden-headed Cisticola
[Goran Lake, NSW, April 2012]
Lateral view of a juvenile Golden-headed Cisticola
[Old Quipolly Dam, near Quirindi, NSW, February 2018]
Lateral view of a juvenile Golden-headed Cisticola with its head turned
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, March 2016]
Lateral view of a juvenile Golden-headed Cisticola
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, February 2013]
Dorsal view of a juvenile Golden-headed Cisticola
[Goran Lake, NSW, April 2012]
Race "alexandrae"
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ADULT |
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NON-BREEDING |
Sex unknown |
Frontal view of a Golden-headed Cisticola in non-breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Nackeroo Lookout Road, Timber Creek, NT, November 2018]
Lateral view of a Golden-headed Cisticola in non-breeding
plumage
[Timber Creek airport, Timber Creek, NT, November 2018]
Distant lateral view of a Golden-headed Cisticola in non-breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[The Granites Gold Mine, inland NT, August 2015]
Near-dorsal view of a Golden-headed Cisticola in non-breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Timer Creek airport, Timber Creek, NT, November 2018]
Race "lineocapilla"
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ADULT |
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MALE |
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BREEDING |
Near-lateral view of a male Golden-headed Cisticola in breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Darwin, NT, January 2018]
Lateral view of a male Golden-headed Cisticola in breeding
plumage issuing
its call - this is the bird whose calls were recorded on 13 Jan. 2018
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Darwin, NT, January 2018]
Ventral view of a male Golden-headed Cisticola in breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Darwin, NT, January 2018]
"Jumping Jack Flash" - male Golden-headed Cisticola in breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Darwin, NT, January 2018]
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NON-BREEDING |
Near-frontal view of a Golden-headed Cisticola in non-breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Leanyer Swamp, Darwin, NT, July 2019]
Near-lateral/ventral view of a Golden-headed Cisticola on a high perch;
based on its behaviour, this bird is probably a male
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Roseberry, Darwin, NT, May 2018]
Lateral/ventral view of a Golden-headed Cisticola on a high perch;
based on its behaviour, this bird is probably a male
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Roseberry, Darwin, NT, May 2018]
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FEMALE |
Lateral view of a Golden-headed Cisticola in non-breeding
plumage;
given its generally pale appearance this may be a female
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Tree Point Conservation Area, Shoal Bay, NT, March 2019]
Sex unknown |
Near-lateral view of a soaking wet Golden-headed Cisticola
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Knuckey Lagoon, Darwin, NT, September 2019]
Near-dorsal view of a Golden-headed Cisticola in non-breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Wurrumiyanga, Bathurst Island, NT, September 2016]
Near-dorsal/ventral view of a Golden-headed Cisticola in non-breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Tree Point Conservation Area, Shoal Bay, NT, March 2019]
Dorsal view of a Golden-headed Cisticola in non-breeding
plumage
looking back at the observer
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Knuckey Lagoon, NT, October 2019]
Dorsal view of a Golden-headed Cisticola in non-breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Wurrumiyanga, Bathurst Island, NT, September 2016]
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IMMATURE/JUVENILE |
Near-lateral view of a juvenile Golden-headed Cisticola found on a
beach
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Tree Point Conservation Area, Shoal Bay, NT, March 2019]
Race "diminuta"
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ADULT |
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NON-BREEDING |
Sex unknown |
Frontal view of a Golden-headed Cisticola
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Botanical Gardens, Mackay, QLD, July 2021]
Frontal view of a Golden-headed Cisticola looking sideways
(photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Bicentennial Lakes, Mareeba, QLD, August 2020]
Near-frontal view of a Golden-headed Cisticola
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Botanical Gardens, Mackay, QLD, July 2021]
Near-frontal view of a Golden-headed Cisticola looking sideways
(photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Edmonton, Cairns, QLD, July 2020]
Near-frontal view of a Golden-headed Cisticola looking sideways
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Botanical Gardens, Mackay, QLD, July 2021]
Near-lateral view of a Golden-headed Cisticola looking at the observer
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Botanical Gardens, Mackay, QLD, July 2021]
Close-up near-lateral view of a Golden-headed Cisticola
(photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Tyto Wetlands, Ingham, QLD, July 2020]
Near-lateral view of a Golden-headed Cisticola
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Botanical Gardens, Mackay, QLD, July 2021]
Lateral view of a Golden-headed Cisticola in non-breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Stanage Bay, QLD, July 2021]
Lateral view of a Golden-headed Cisticola diving down
from its perch
(photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Edmonton, Cairns, QLD, July 2020]
Close-up near-dorsal view of a Golden-headed Cisticola
looking sideways
(photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Tyto Wetlands, Ingham, QLD, July 2020]
Dorsal view of a Golden-headed Cisticola looking sideways
(photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Edmonton, Cairns, QLD, July 2020]
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Behaviour |
Social behaviour: Territorial | Mobility: Sedentary | Elementary unit: Pair |
Frontal view of a male Golden-headed Cisticola on a
roadside fence
[Eulah Creek, NSW, December 2013]
Lateral view of a male Golden-headed Cisticola on a
roadside fence
[Eulah Creek, NSW, December 2013]
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Food, Diet |
Golden-headed Cisticolas feed on insects and spiders.
Golden-headed Cisticola eyeing a spider's web, either to collect
nesting material or to have a meal, or both
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Gatton, QLD, December 2017]
Golden-headed Cisticola in non-breeding
plumage
with its prey, possibly a tadpole
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Timer Creek airport, Timber Creek, NT, November 2018]
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Call(s)/Song |
For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The
interpretation of their meaning is our own;
comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.
gldcist_art_20131231.mp3 |
exilis (SE QLD) |
Territorial calls (male) | © ART | |
gldcist_20150327.mp3 |
exilis (NE NSW) |
Territorial calls (male) | © MD | |
gldcist_20161208.mp3 |
exilis (E NSW) |
Territorial calls (male) | © MD | |
gldcist_20151113_4.mp3 |
exilis (NW NSW) |
Various (with juveniles?) | © MD | |
gldcist_20151113_6.mp3 |
exilis (NW NSW) |
Various (with juveniles?) | © MD | |
gldcist_20151113_3.mp3 |
exilis (NW NSW) |
? | © MD | |
gldcist_20160331.mp3 |
exilis (NW NSW) |
? | © MD | |
gldcist_pb_20180113_1.m4a |
lineocapilla (Darwin, NT) |
Territorial calls (male) | © PB | |
gldcist_pb_20180113_2.m4a |
lineocapilla (Darwin, NT) |
Territorial calls (male) | © PB | |
gldcist_pb_20191222_4.m4a |
lineocapilla (Darwin, NT) |
Territorial calls (male) | © PB | |
gldcist_pb_20191222_2.m4a |
lineocapilla (Darwin, NT) |
Territorial calls (male) | © PB | |
gldcist_pb_20191222_3.m4a |
lineocapilla (Darwin, NT) |
Territorial calls (competing males) | © PB | |
gldcist_pb_20190306.m4a |
lineocapilla (Top End, NT) |
Various (family clan) | © PB | |
gldcist_pb_20201103.m4a |
lineocapilla (Top End, NT) |
Interacting with Zitting Cisticola |
© PB | |
gldcist_pb_20201103_2.m4a |
lineocapilla (Top End, NT) |
Interacting with Zitting Cisticola |
© PB | |
gldcist_pb_20201103_3.m4a |
lineocapilla (Top End, NT) |
Interacting with Zitting Cisticola |
© PB |
More Golden-headed Cisticola sound recordings are available at
xeno-canto.org
.