Jungle Prinia

Overview

The jungle prinia (Prinia sylvatica) is a small passerine bird classified within the family Cisticolidae. It is a resident breeder across parts of South and South-East Asia, currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• 15 cm (6 in) long with short rounded wings, a longish tail, strong legs, and a short black bill.
• Breeding adults are grey-brown above with a short white supercilium, a warmer brown rump, rufous wing fringes, and white-edged tails.
• Underparts are whitish-buff, with sexes appearing identical except for the male's blacker bill and mouth during the breeding season.
• Song consists of a repetitive 'pit-pretty, pit-pretty, pit-pretty' phrase.

Habitat

Found in dry open grassland, open woodland, scrub, and occasionally gardens. Its range includes Bangladesh, India, far south-western Nepal, and Sri Lanka, where it acts as a resident breeder.

Diet

Insectivorous, consistent with the feeding habits of most warblers. The species builds its nest in shrubs or tall grass, laying 3–5 eggs.

Did you know?

The distinctive Sri Lankan endemic race, P. s. valida, retains summer plumage, including a shorter tail, throughout the year and lacks both the supercilium and white tail markings found in other subspecies.