Birds

Plain Prinia

January 21, 2012 by Redgannet 3 Comments

The Plain Prinia, Prinia inornata is an abundant, widespread resident of the Indian subcontinent and can be found throughout southeast Asia wherever there is long grass, crops, reeds and mangroves.

The photo of the bird below, from Sultanpur National Park, near New Delhi, may suggest that they are slightly shy and they are frequently described as such, but this is not always the case.

This individual was feeding in the vegetation at the edge of the lake catching tiny spiders and other insects. It was very preoccupied with its task and did not seem to worry that I was watching it so closely. Occasionally it would duck as the camera shutter clicked, but apart from that it seemed quite unconcerned.

They are placed in the Cisticolidae family which has representatives throughout the Old World and whose Christmas get-togethers also include the eponymous Cisticolas, the Apalises (Apali?) and Camaroptera.

The Plain Prinia often goes by the name of Plain Wren-Warbler and was previously associated with the Tawny-flanked Prinia of Africa, but now holds its own species status and lays claim to 10 potential races.

It is an acrobatic little bird and showed off as it searched through the reeds and rushes for a meal.

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Written by Redgannet

Redgannet has been working for over 33 years as a crew member/flight attendant and enjoys the well-ventilated air of the outdoors. The nom de blog, Redgannet, was adopted to add an air of mystery and to make himself more attractive to women. His father first whetted Redguga's appetite for all things natural by buying him his first pair of 7x35s and a copy of Thorburn's Birds. Having no mentor beyond an indulgent parent, he spent the first season hoping for an Egyptian Vulture at the bird table in his English garden. His most memorable birding moment is seeing an Egyptian Vulture with those same binoculars 26 years later. Redgannet is married to Canon, but his heart and half of his house belongs to Helen and their son Joseph. He is looking forward to communicating with people who don't ask if he is searching for the "feathered variety" of bird.

3 Comments

David January 21, 2012 at 7:16 pm

Not a bird people jump for joy over–thanks for giving it some limelight and reminding us to appreciate the drab things. They certainly have great personality.
Jochen January 24, 2012 at 4:50 am

The little tricks the English language can play on non-native speakers.
Does “plain” pertain to where the rain mainly falls in Spain or to its subtle pattern?
If to the pattern, calling it “plain” is rather self-evident and thus unnecessary as – hey – it’s a Prinia, right?

Lovely pics!
Redgannet January 25, 2012 at 8:00 am

@Jochen, In the UK we can use the definite article to describe many of our birds, such as The Swallow or The Wren, even The Heron (apart from a couple of pesky purple infiltrators).

Tbe Birds of India Fieldguide describes 13 prinias, most of them quite drab. The only decision needed was which one would take the ‘Plain, inornatus’ title. Plain is much nicer than dull don’t you think. I am sure that if you went looking on the plains, you may well find one.

There is an Australian bird called the Plains Wanderer. Using the plural removes any doubt that the name refers to the habitat rather than the plumage. But…. since the bird is usually quite sedentary, I wonder where they wander?