Cettias

Cettias are a group of small to medium-sized birds belonging to the family Cettiidae, which is part of the order Passeriformes. They are native to the Old World tropics and are characterized by their distinctive, repetitive songs. The family includes two genera, Cettia and Abroscopus, with a total of about 20 species.

Cettias are typically found in dense vegetation, such as forests, scrublands, and gardens. They are often seen perching on branches or in the foliage, where they feed on insects and other small invertebrates. Their diet primarily consists of caterpillars, beetles, and other arthropods.

The most well-known species is the Asian Cettia, or Cettia cetti, which is widely distributed across Southeast Asia. This species is known for its loud, repetitive song, which is often described as a series of "tsit" or "tseet" notes. Other notable species include the White-browed Cettia (Cettia castaneocoronata) and the White-bellied Cettia (Cettia major).

Cettias are generally considered to be shy and elusive birds, making them difficult to observe in the wild. However, their distinctive songs can often be heard before the birds themselves are spotted. Conservation status varies among species, with some listed as Least Concern and others as Near Threatened, primarily due to habitat loss and degradation.