The Sierra Leone prinia, also known as the white-eyed prinia, is a species of bird in the family Cisticolidae. It is found in Ivory Coast, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. Its natural habitat is thickets and forest edge, especially in the transition zone between submontane forest and submontane grassland. It is threatened by habitat loss, especially habitat clearance to establish iron ore mines.
Region
Upper Guinean Forests of West Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs patchily in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire, centered on submontane hills and mountains. It prefers dense secondary growth, vine tangles, and scrub at the edge of moist forests, especially in the transition between forest and grassland. Often found along ridgelines, landslides, old clearings, and regenerating forest where shrubs are abundant. It keeps to low and mid-levels, moving through cover while foraging.
Altitude Range
600–1700 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Also called the white-eyed prinia for its striking pale iris, this small warbler is restricted to the Upper Guinean highlands of West Africa. It favors thickets and forest edges in submontane zones, where it stays low and skulks through dense cover. Habitat loss and fragmentation, including clearance for iron ore mining, are the chief threats. It has at times been treated within Prinia but is currently placed in the genus Schistolais.
Temperament
shy and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between patches of cover
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family groups, maintaining territories in dense scrub. Likely monogamous, building a small cup-shaped nest placed low in thick vegetation. Joins mixed-species flocks infrequently, preferring to stay within dense edge habitats.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A high, thin series of buzzy trills and squeaky notes, delivered from within cover or low perches. Calls include sharp tick and tsip notes used to keep contact while moving through scrub.
