A small bird found mainly in grasslands, it is best identified by its rufous rump; in addition it lacks any gold on the collar and the brownish tail is tipped with white.

During the breeding season males have a zigzagging flight display accompanied by regular "zitting" calls that have been likened to repeated snips of a scissor.

[2][3] The current genus name Cisticola is from Ancient Greek kisthos, "rock-rose", and Latin colere, "to dwell".

The nominate form is found in southern France, Greece, Turkey, Sicily, Corsica and Egypt while western Portugal and Spain have cisticola.

The underparts are whitish, and the tail is broad, white-tipped and flicked frequently, giving rise to the alternative name for the species.

The adult males have less crown streaking and more back marking than the females, but there are no great differences between the sexes or the eighteen geographical races.

The nest is made by binding living leaves into the soft fabric of felted plant-down, cobwebs, and grass.

The zitting cisticola's nest is a cup shape with a canopy of tied-together leaves or grasses overhead for camouflage; 3–6 eggs are laid.