Brown prinia

The brown prinia is a species of bird in the family Cisticolidae. The Burmese prinia and the Annam prinia were formerly lumped with this species.

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Distribution

Region

Sundaland (Java and Bali)

Typical Environment

This species inhabits lowland and foothill scrub, tall grasslands, and edges of secondary forest and plantations. It favors dense, shrubby cover interspersed with open patches, roadside thickets, and overgrown fields. It also uses bamboo stands and riverine scrub, and can persist in mosaic agricultural landscapes. In coastal areas it may occur in beach scrub and weedy margins behind dunes.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 1500 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size13–15 cm

Wing Span16–20 cm

Male Weight0.009 kg

Female Weight0.008 kg

Life Expectancy5 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 2/5

Useful to know

The brown prinia is a small, active warbler of scrub and grasslands that often cocks and fans its long, graduated tail. It was formerly treated more broadly, but Burmese prinia and Annam prinia have been split as separate species. Adaptable to secondary growth and agricultural edges, it remains fairly common where suitable cover persists. Males often sing from exposed perches, delivering rapid, buzzy trills to advertise territory.

Gallery

Behaviour

Temperament

active and skulking

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats, low over vegetation

Social Behavior

Usually seen singly or in pairs, maintaining small territories in dense cover. Monogamous pairs build a neat cup nest low in grasses or shrubs. Both sexes participate in nesting, and adults may become conspicuous when carrying food to nestlings.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

A rapid, buzzy series of trills and tinks delivered from exposed perches, often repeated persistently. Calls include sharp scolds and thin tseep notes used to maintain contact in dense cover.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

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