Plain prinia

The plain prinia, also known as the plain wren-warbler or white-browed wren-warbler, is a small bird species commonly found in Southeast Asia. This diminutive warbler is a permanent resident in regions extending from Pakistan and India to southern China and Southeast Asia. Notably, it was once grouped with the tawny-flanked prinia of Africa, but they are now recognized as distinct species.

These warblers are about 13 to 14 cm long and are easily identified by their short, rounded wings, long tails, strong legs, and short black bills. During the breeding season, adults exhibit grey-brown upperparts, a short white eyebrow stripe, and rufous wing edges, with whitish-buff underparts. In winter, their upperparts change to a warmer brown shade, and their underparts become more buff-colored. Subspecies of this bird show slight variations in their plumage, with the Sri Lankan subspecies retaining its summer appearance throughout the year.

Plain prinias typically inhabit wet lowland grasslands, open woodlands, scrublands, and gardens. They build their nests in shrubs or tall grass and usually lay between three and six eggs. As insectivores, these birds have a distinctive song that sounds like a repetitive "tlee-tlee-tlee."