Prinia species, Delhi, India (1 Viewer)

[rubatroid]

Struggling with this bird, seen this morning in Picnic Hut Park, South Delhi. I’m thinking Plain Prinia because nothing else fits? But it’s quite rufous on the back, more so than I’ve seen in other photos of this species. Rufous on the crown too which I would think rules out Rufescent Prinia (and I don’t think that occurs here anyway)

Prinias are hard! They are so variable!!

Any help appreciated, thanks

 

[samnew]

Edit: I've just seen that the 'grey' head I saw was somewhat exaggerated. My apologies. Nevertheless, I don't think it's a plain prinia but rather an ashy prinia. However, I am not an expert in the area.

 

[rubatroid]

Edit: I've just seen that the 'grey' head I saw was somewhat exaggerated. My apologies. Nevertheless, I don't think it's a plain prinia but rather an ashy prinia. However, I am not an expert in the area.

Thanks for this. I did consider Ashy but the rufous crown also seems to rule it out. That’s why I’m really scratching my head 😅

 

[johnallcock]

The thin, black bill and short supercilium don't really fit Plain Prinia. It's a bit confusing because the shadow on the head in the 2nd photo makes this appear greyer.
What about Grey-breasted? It is present in the Delhi area and has a rufous back. Some photos show a rufous crown, presumably a seasonal change.

ML142724591 - Gray-breasted Prinia - Macaulay Library

Macaulay Library ML142724591; © Ayuwat Jearwattanakanok; Yunnan, China

macaulaylibrary.org

ML391845631 - Gray-breasted Prinia - Macaulay Library

Macaulay Library ML391845631; © Able Lawrence; Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

macaulaylibrary.org

 

[rubatroid]

The thin, black bill and short supercilium don't really fit Plain Prinia. It's a bit confusing because the shadow on the head in the 2nd photo makes this appear greyer.
What about Grey-breasted? It is present in the Delhi area and has a rufous back. Some photos show a rufous crown, presumably a seasonal change.

ML142724591 - Gray-breasted Prinia - Macaulay Library

Macaulay Library ML142724591; © Ayuwat Jearwattanakanok; Yunnan, China

macaulaylibrary.org

ML391845631 - Gray-breasted Prinia - Macaulay Library

Macaulay Library ML391845631; © Able Lawrence; Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

macaulaylibrary.org

Thanks John, I think you’re right! Good call.

Reuben

 

[rubatroid]

Just to illustrate how variable these little beasts are, here are some photos of another Grey-breasted Prinia (I think) from the same location as the photos I shared earlier. Very different!!