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Graceful Prinia
(Prinia gracilis)
: "Graceful Warbler", "Streaked Wren-warbler"
Size: 10-11 cm
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Physical description |
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Click here for a physical description
Graceful Prinias are very small, active birds with a long tail.
In fresh winter
plumage the sides of the head and the chin are grey and the
rest of the front is buffish to pale-brown. The crown and the
back are greyish-brown with dark streaking. The wing feathers
are dark-grey with light-brown edge lining.
Worn plumage
in general shows less buff/brownish tints and is more greyish.
The tail is long and strongly tapered; the tail feathers have
black-and-white ends.
The irises are orange-brown.
During the
breeding season the
males have a black bill and mouth; otherwise (males in eclipse and
females)
the bill is dark ontop and horn-coloured below.
Legs and feet are greyish-orange/brown.
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Taxonomy, classification |
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See Graceful
Prinia at Wikipedia .
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Range, habitat |
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Click here for information on habitat
and range
The overall distribution of this species can be assessed based
on sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to the
ebird.org
website.
The global distribution of the Graceful Prinia is available
HERE
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There are 12 races of Graceful Prinias, whose range altogether
extends from the Nile valley in
Egypt and the Mediterranean coastline from the Nile river
delta to the central southern coast of Asia Minor, via the Red
Sea coastline, the eastern African coastline to about
Somalia, the Euphrates/Tigris river system eastward along
both sides of the Persian Gulf. Along its northern side
their distribution extends further via Pakistan into
northern India and Bangladesh.
Apart from a few oases in central Saudi Arabia, Graceful Prinias
are found along almost the entire (near-)coastal fringe of Arabia,
in particular the northern part of Oman including the mountain
ranges.
Graceful Prinia are often found in semi-desert country and wadis
dominated by acacias and tamarisk, where they can often be seen
hunting insects - and nesting - in those shrubs. They deal well
with the proximity of humans and will enter shrubs in gardens and
parks, too.
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Sightings |
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Click here for sighting information
Graceful Prinias are permanent residents on the
Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, in
particular in the arboretum. Also in dry riverbeds (wadis)
around the campus they are common, populating almost every acacia
tree/shrub and the males mark their territories with their
high-pitched song that can be heard over long distances.
We found them basically on a daily basis in the time frame
August 2009 - May 2010.
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Photos |
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ADULT |
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MALE |
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BREEDING |
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Frontal view of a male Graceful Prinia in breeding
plumage;
note the black bill
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, January 2010]
Frontal view of a male Graceful Prinia in breeding
plumage;
note the black bill
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, January 2010]
Graceful Prinia looking down at the photographer
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, January 2010]
Lateral view of a Graceful Prinia
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, January 2010]
Slightly different posture
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, January 2010]
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NON-BREEDING |
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Near-frontal view of a Graceful Prinia; note the pale bill
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, October 2009]
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FEMALE |
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Frontal view of a (probably female) Graceful Prinia; the sex
of this bird was determined by behaviour, rather than outward
appearance
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, November 2009]
Here a Graceful Prinia seen preening
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, November 2009]
Graceful Prinia shaking itself after preening
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, November 2009]
These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our
contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species
please refer to a field guide.