Vol
7 No 1
Apr 2000
St. Andrew's
Cross Spider
Yellow-bellied Prinia
Life in the Mangroves:
snippets on
plants & animals
Divine Diversity
Shorebird Population Monitoring
(1992-1998)
Inundation
in the Park
Service with a Smile: the Park's frontline staff
Field Ornithology training in Sarawak
Millenium mementos
Butterfly Trail Adoption
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Journal
of a Nature Warden
Yellow-bellied Prinia
(Prinia flaviventris)
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ramakrishnan
nk
senior ranger
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Once
part of the agricultural farmland, Sungei Buloh Nature Park is transformed
into a beautiful and mystical area. Melodious singing of birds and
calling of insects can be heard from time to time. At the freshwater
area, birds visiting and residing there include the Crake, Watercock,
Bittern, Kingfisher, Heron and Egret who favour the water edges. Other
birds that thrive on the abundant source of fruits, insects and grass
seeds are the Munia, Baya Weaver, Bulbul, Shrike, Bee-eater, Sunbird,
Cuckoo, Dove and the often difficult to spot Yellow-bellied Prinia
(Prinia flaviventris).
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Description:
Upper
parts olive, slaty grey head, sometimes with a whitish brow in front
of eye. Under parts: cream breast grading into bright yellow abdomen
and under tail coverts; narrow long tail fringed with black and white.
Distinguished from Tailorbird by its grey head.
No. of eggs laid: 2 to
3 reddish coloured eggs
Diet: Consists of insects.
Size of bird: 12 to 14cm
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This small resident
warbler stays within the long grass, hops from one grass stalk to another
and frequently stands at the end of the tall stalks looking around or singing.
It is also found at the back mangrove, roadside scrub and agricultural farmland.
Usually heard singing with a distinctive and sudden "chip cheerere-up",
it also gives out a low "waa" call that sounds like a kitten calling!
The characteristics of this bird are not easily observed because of its
low flying habit. It was observed that the adults feed and move alone but
during incubation and feeding of the young both parents remain together.
The Prinia's nest is built by weaving grass around few tall grass stalks
to form a dome shaped nest with a side entrance. Predation of the eggs and
nestlings by snakes and changeable lizards, heavy rains which cause the
grass stalk supporting the nest to collapse do take a toll on the bird's
breeding success.
Do keep a sharp lookout for this small warbler on your next visit to Sungei
Buloh! |
WETlands