The barred wren-warbler or southern barred warbler is a species of bird in the family Cisticolidae.
Region
Southern Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs broadly in semi-arid thornveld and savanna, especially on Kalahari sands and in dry acacia and camelthorn scrub. It favors dense, low shrub layers with scattered open patches and edges of mopane woodland. Often along dry riverbeds, farm margins with bush clumps, and thorny thickets. It avoids closed forests and very open treeless plains.
Altitude Range
300–1600 m
Climate Zone
Arid
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A shy, ground-hugging cisticolid, the barred wren-warbler is most often detected by its antiphonal duets between mates. It flicks and fans its tail to flash white outer tail feathers as a visual signal in dense thorn scrub. Pairs maintain territories year-round and keep to low, tangled vegetation where they forage methodically for small arthropods.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low direct dashes between bushes
Social Behavior
Usually found singly or in pairs that hold territories year-round. Pairs are monogamous and communicate frequently with duets and tail-flicking displays. The nest is a small, well-concealed cup placed low in thorny shrubs; both adults tend the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A clear, ringing series of whistles often given as male–female duets, with one bird answering the other almost immediately. Calls include dry trills and clicking notes that carry well through thorn scrub.
Plumage
Fine grey-brown upperparts with subtle barring and pale streaking, and whitish underparts marked with dark, narrow bars across the breast and flanks. Tail is dark with conspicuous white outer feathers often flashed during flicking displays. Texture is sleek and close-feathered, aiding a slim, wren-like profile.
Diet
Feeds primarily on small insects and other arthropods, including ants, termites, beetles, spiders, and caterpillars. It gleans methodically from leaves, twigs, and bark and occasionally sallies a short distance to snatch prey. Foraging is mostly within the lower two meters of vegetation, often under cover.
Preferred Environment
Dense thorn scrub, acacia thickets, and bushy edges where it can move low and concealed. Frequently works along dry watercourses, fence lines, and shrub clusters in semi-arid savanna.
