Tawny-flanked Prinia

Afrikaans name: Bruinsylangstertjie

Tawny-flanked Prinia

Photo © Steven Herbert

Prinia subflava

The Tawny-flanked Prinia is a common bird that is widely distributed over the eastern half of South Africa. They are normally found in patches of long grass, low bushes, weeds or other tall vegetation.

They are often found in pairs or small groups and have a habit of clinging to long grass and making their tseep sounding call.

Tawny-flanked Prinias feed mainly on insects but also do eat nectar.

They breed through spring and summer. The nest is oval shaped with the entrance on the side but near the top. Around 3 eggs are laid and it is interesting that the colour of the eggs varies from cream to blue to pink, with or without markings.

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References and further reading

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Year Published: 1983 - Page: 248

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 184

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 214

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Year Published: 1999 - Page: 63

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 174

Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Year Published: 2004 - Page: 185

Geoff Lockwood's Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Geoff Lockwood - Year Published: - Page: 129

Ian Sinclair's Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Year Published: 1988 - Page: 258

Newman's Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Year Published: 1984 - Page: 358

Newman's Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Year Published: 2000 - Page: 358

Newman's Garden Birds - Author: Ken Newman - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 80

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Year Published: 1949 - Page: 274

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 450

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Year Published: 1981 - Page: 460

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 596

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 594

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 340

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 362

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Year Published: 1989 - Page: 115

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 152

List of South African Birds