Bar-winged Prinia
Prinia familiaris
Namesake white wing bars make this prinia relatively distinctive. Also note white throat, pale yellow belly, and black-and-white tips to tail feathers. Endemic to Java, Sumatra, and some smaller adjacent islands. Inhabits scrubby habitats, such as farm field edges and old plantations, as well as mangroves. Often seen in low vegetation, but forages at all levels of habitat. Sometimes forms small flocks outside the breeding season. Song is a twanging, repetitive “chwet-chwet-chwet” or “cheweet-cheweet-cheweet”. Calls include a sharp “chwit” and a harsh, nasal “jee!”
Identification
The bar-winged prinia is a distinctive prinia, 13 centimetres (5.1 in) long and weighing 8–10 grams (0.28–0.35 oz).
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Prinia familiaris
- Authority
- Horsfield, 1821
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Cisticolidae
- Genus
- Prinia
Range and habitat
It is endemic to Indonesia, where it occurs on the islands of Sumatra (where it occurs on the east of the island), Java and Bali. It occupies a wide range of habitats, from mangrove forest at sea level to montane forest, and is tolerant of human modified environments such as gardens, parks and plantations. The presence of humans within its range is common and its willingness to adapt to the subsequent modified landscapes means it is not threatened with extinction.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The bar-winged prinia feeds on insects.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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A small warbler with a pale eyebrow, a dull greenish upperside, a white throat, and yellowish underparts. Sometimes shows a faint central crown stripe, and sometimes an indistinct wingbar. Widespread with small variations, perhaps indicating multiple cryptic species. Singles, pairs, or groups inhabit lowland and hill forest, often accompanying mixed-species flocks. Differs from Arctic, Japanese, and Kamchatka Leaf Warblers in being smaller, yellower underneath, and darker above, and in sometimes showing a central crown stripe. Sings a very variable high-pitched warble mixed with twittering phrases.
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