Wing-snapping cisticola

{{Short description|Species of bird}}

{{Speciesbox

| name = Wing-snapping cisticola

| image = Wing-snapping Cisticola - Kenya_S4E6079 (17320718675).jpg

| image_caption = In Kenya

| status = LC

| status_system = IUCN3.1

| status_ref = {{cite iucn |author=BirdLife International |date=2016 |title=Cisticola ayresii |volume=2016 |page=e.T22713540A94378627 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22713540A94378627.en |access-date=11 November 2021}}

| taxon = Cisticola ayresii

| authority = Hartlaub, 1863

| synonyms =

}}

The wing-snapping cisticola (Cisticola ayresii), also known as Ayres' cisticola, is a species of bird in the family Cisticolidae. Its scientific name honours South African ornithologist Thomas Ayres.

They are generally tiny, short-tailed, streaky, and brown in color. However, in non-breeding plumages, they have a longer tail. They can be found in grassland and marsh. They are usually seen when doing a flight display over their breeding habitat. The display consists of whistled notes, which can be down-then-up or on an even pitch, interspersed with wing snaps, which sometimes continue as the bird dives to the ground. They are very similar to other small, short-tailed cisticolas, especially in non-breeding plumage, but are best distinguished by voice.{{Cite web |title=Wing-snapping Cisticola - eBird |url=https://ebird.org/species/wiscis1 |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=ebird.org |language=en}}