Ashy prinia : Prinia socialis

 

 

Ashy prinia : Prinia socialis

English: Also known as Ashy wren-warbler; Hindi: Phutki, Kali phutki; Sanskrit: Purllika; Telugu: Budidarangu pitta.

IUCN Status:  Least Concern

Main features: About 15 centimetres. Ash grey back; Black eye stripe (see left lower inset in photo); white underparts; yellowish-buff flanks; Short rounded wings (see right lower inset above); long tail in non-breeding plumage (see left upper inset); short black bill.

Found usually in Indian subcontinent except the Thar desert region in Rajasthan. Wetlands, scrublands, grasslands and gardens are common habitats.

Generally utters tchup, tchup, tchup or zeet-zeet-zeet repetitively.

Nest is formed from leaves stitched together with webs and hair placed close to the ground in a shrub or tall grass.

Insectivorous.

Photographed at Bhindawas, Jhajjar, Haryana, India on 4.12.2013

Camera used: Nikon D5100 DSLR with AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm VR Lens.