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08/05/2018

Golden Headed Cisticola

CISTICOLA, GOLDEN-HEADED Cisticola exilis

 


I have not seen, perhaps not noticed, these little birds in the area before. I have seen them at the Western Treatment Plant at Point Wilson, and I am pretty sure they are the same bird, golden-headed cisticola.






I found these between the hills at the end of Moores  Road, few kilometres to the west of the Kilmore township. Between these hills is Linton's Creek which eventually joins to the Deep Creek around Bulla and theTullamarine Airport, before joining the Maribyrnong River and entering into Port Phillip Bay.




 Called 'golden-headed', my books show the female and the non-breeding males have black streaking through the crown of the head. In males,  the crown turns to gold during breeding times, hence golden-headed. They have a little crest to add a bit of character to their otherwise small faces.






I saw a small flock today perching on the stems of some rushes, picking at the seed heads. They are tiny birds and their weight was supported well by the narrow spines of the rush plants.







 


This final picture is one taken at the Western Treatment Plant at Point Wilson, in May 2017. The colouring is very similar.

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