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26

Graceful Prinia (Prinia gracilis) Alternate name(s): "Graceful Warbler", "Streaked Wren-warbler" Size: 10-11 cm

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Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description 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.

Taxonomy, classification See Graceful Prinia at Wikipedia .

Range, habitat 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 . 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.

Sightings 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.

Photos

ADULT

MALE

BREEDING

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]

NON-BREEDING

Near-frontal view of a Graceful Prinia; note the pale bill
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, October 2009]

FEMALE

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.

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