The Burmese prinia is a species of bird in the family Cisticolidae. It and the Annam prinia were formerly lumped with Deignan's prinia as the brown prinia.
Region
Mainland Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
The Burmese prinia is primarily found across central and southern Myanmar, extending locally into adjacent western Thailand. It favors open and semi-open habitats with dense low vegetation, including scrubby hillsides, dry deciduous forest edges, bamboo thickets, and weedy fields. It is also frequent along agricultural margins, road verges, and overgrown clearings. Within its range it is generally local but can be common where suitable cover persists.
Altitude Range
0–1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
The Burmese prinia is a small warbler of the Cisticolidae, recently split from the brown prinia complex based on vocal, plumage, and genetic differences. It is a restless skulk, often staying low in scrub and tall grasses where it flicks its long, graduated tail. Its song—a fast, buzzy series of notes—is a key field clue and differs from close relatives. It adapts well to human-altered habitats such as farmland edges and secondary growth.
Temperament
active and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually encountered in pairs or small family groups, keeping low in dense cover while foraging. Nests are neatly woven cups placed in tall grasses or shrubs. Pairs maintain small territories during the breeding season and may join loose mixed bird parties outside of it.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A rapid, buzzy series of notes delivered from low perches or within cover, often accelerating slightly. Calls include sharp chips and thin, high contact notes used to keep in touch while moving through vegetation.
Plumage
Warm brown upperparts with a slightly rufous tinge, paler buff to whitish underparts that may show faint streaking on the breast, and a long, graduated tail with darker subterminal tones and pale tips.
Diet
Feeds mainly on small insects and other arthropods, including beetles, ants, spiders, and caterpillars. It gleans prey from grass stems, leaves, and twigs, and occasionally makes short sallies to snatch flying insects. Opportunistically takes small seeds when insect prey is scarce.
Preferred Environment
Forages in dense grasses, scrubby patches, and along edges of farmland and secondary woodland. Often stays within 0–2 meters above ground, working methodically through tangles and thickets.
