Wildlifeof Vietnam
Rufescent Prinia
Warblers & Cisticolas
Photo: (c) Brodie Cass Talbott, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY
Prinia rufescens
Rare visitor: recorded only occasionally in this country
Basic stats
Diet
Insects and other small invertebrates
Habitat
Dry forest, scrub and grassy secondary growth
Range
South and Southeast Asia to southern China, including northern and southern Vietnam
Clutch size
Usually 3–5 eggs
Incubation period
About 12–14 days
Size
About 13cm
The rufescent prinia is an approximately 13-centimetre, long-tailed warbler with grey-brown upperparts, a darker crown and nape, and warm rufous or buff-toned underparts. The sexes are similar. Geographic variation matters in Vietnam: beavani occurs in the north, whereas dalatensis occurs in the south and lacks the white loral stripe shown by some other populations. Its busy movements and calls help reveal it in dense cover (Wikipedia; BirdLookUp, general species accounts).
The species ranges across South and Southeast Asia to southern Yunnan and inhabits dry forest, scrub, grass and secondary vegetation. It searches low foliage for insects and other small invertebrates, normally remaining close to protective cover. A compact cup nest is placed low in grass or shrubs; general species summaries describe clutches of three to five eggs and incubation lasting approximately 12–14 days, although local timing can differ with climate and rainfall (BirdLookUp, general species account).
Quick answers
- What does the Rufescent Prinia eat?
- Insects and other small invertebrates
- What habitat does the Rufescent Prinia live in?
- Dry forest, scrub and grassy secondary growth
- Where is the Rufescent Prinia found?
- South and Southeast Asia to southern China, including northern and southern Vietnam
- How many eggs does the Rufescent Prinia lay?
- Usually 3–5 eggs
- How long are the eggs of the Rufescent Prinia incubated?
- About 12–14 days
- How big is the Rufescent Prinia?
- About 13cm