Grey-backed Cisticola

Cisticola subruficapilla

The grey-backed cisticola or red-headed cisticola (Cisticola subruficapilla) is a small passerine bird.

from Wikipedia

Showing stays that recordGrey-backed Cisticola50+ stays list it on site or nearby

Species insights▾

When to visit

Recorded year-round

Recorded in every month, so no month is the wrong month to look. We would rather say that than invent a best time.

Best monthsAny month

Records1,475 records

Curve from 1,475 national iNaturalist observations, not from one property. Single-month spikes are discarded as upload artefacts, and below 50 records we show no curve at all.

Where you'll find it

Western Cape and beyond

Provinces where Grey-backed Cisticola is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.

Western Cape

85%Northern Cape

9%Eastern Cape

Eastern Cape

Grey-backed Cisticola recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · 207 birds recorded · Lion, Leopard

Price on request

Barry House on Riverton

Robertson

Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · 158 birds recorded · Horse riding, Canoeing

From R 1,155 per night

Karoo Secret Farm Stay

Aberdeen

Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Nama-Karoo biome · 209 birds recorded · Cycling

Supports BirdLife South Africa

From R 1,200 per night

Ouberg Private Nature Reserve

Montagu

Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Succulent Karoo biome · 109 birds recorded · Black backed jackal, Honey badger · Cycling

Supports BirdLife South Africa

From R 350 per night

Bloukrans Off-Grid Cabin

Montagu

Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · 108 birds recorded · Black backed jackal, Honey badger · Gravel cycling

Supports BirdLife South Africa

From R 1,500 per night

Aasvogelkrans Farm Cottages & Camping

Nieu Bethesda

Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Nama-Karoo biome · 221 birds recorded · Stargazing, Canoeing

Supports BirdLife South Africa

From R 1,760 per night

Cederberg - Kliphuis

Cederberg Wilderness Area

Grey-backed Cisticola recorded here · Fynbos biome · 123 birds recorded · Stargazing

From R 180 per night

Gamkaberg Campsite

Gamkaberg Nature Reserve

Grey-backed Cisticola recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · 98 birds recorded · Spekboom · Stargazing

From R 230 per night

Grootvadersbosch Campsites

Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve

Grey-backed Cisticola recorded here · Fynbos biome · 180 birds recorded · Spekboom

From R 300 per night

Grootvadersbosch Cabins

Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve

Grey-backed Cisticola recorded here · Fynbos biome · 180 birds recorded · Spekboom · Photography

From R 1,460 per night

Mbali Collection

Kogelberg Nature Reserve

Grey-backed Cisticola recorded here · Fynbos biome · 94 birds recorded

From R 1,590 per night

Oudebosch Eco Cabins

Kogelberg Nature Reserve

Grey-backed Cisticola recorded here · Fynbos biome · 94 birds recorded

From R 1,730 per night

Luiperd & Rooikat Cottages

Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve

Grey-backed Cisticola recorded here · Succulent Karoo biome · 166 birds recorded · Spekboom

From R 1,750 per night

Bakoorvos & Silwervos Cottages

Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve

Grey-backed Cisticola recorded here · Succulent Karoo biome · 166 birds recorded · Spekboom

From R 1,750 per night

Coot, Shoveler, Egret & Moorhen Cottages

Rocherpan Nature Reserve

Grey-backed Cisticola recorded here · Fynbos biome · 159 birds recorded · Photography

From R 1,990 per night

Algeria Cottages

Cederberg Wilderness Area

Grey-backed Cisticola recorded here · Fynbos biome · 123 birds recorded · Stargazing, Hiking

From R 1,990 per night

Stable Rooms

Gamkaberg Nature Reserve

Grey-backed Cisticola recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · 98 birds recorded · Spekboom · Stargazing

From R 320 per night

Ou Kraal

Gamkaberg Nature Reserve

Grey-backed Cisticola recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · 98 birds recorded · Spekboom · Stargazing

From R 1,600 per night

Xami Eco Lodge

Gamkaberg Nature Reserve

Grey-backed Cisticola recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · 98 birds recorded · Spekboom · Stargazing

From R 1,520 per night

Fossil Ridge Eco Lodge

Gamkaberg Nature Reserve

Grey-backed Cisticola recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · 98 birds recorded · Spekboom · Stargazing

From R 1,320 per night

Plan a trip around these stays

Planning a trip

When and where to find the Grey-backed Cisticola

Best hours of the day

The first hours after sunrise, and late afternoon. Birds call and feed most in the cool.
Midday. Quieter, especially in summer heat.

Species

Cisticola subruficapilla

Records

1 475

iNaturalist observations

Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.

Questions travellers ask

A record means a host has seen the Grey-backed Cisticola on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.

Where can you see the Grey-backed Cisticola in South Africa?

The Grey-backed Cisticola is most recorded in Western Cape (85% of records), Northern Cape (9% of records), Eastern Cape (6% of records), based on 1 475 iNaturalist observations. 57 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Grey-backed Cisticola on site or nearby.

When is the best time to see the Grey-backed Cisticola?

The Grey-backed Cisticola is recorded throughout the year, so no month is the wrong month to look for it.

What is the Grey-backed Cisticola?

The grey-backed cisticola or red-headed cisticola (Cisticola subruficapilla) is a small passerine bird. This cisticola is a resident breeder in southernmost Angola, Namibia and western South Africa.