Rufous-Vented Prinia:
The Rufous-vented Prinia is a large sized Prinia. It is equal in size
to a Yellow eyed Babbler. There are 2 known Subspecies, Prinia
burnesii burnesii and Prinia burnesii cinerascens.
Habitat:
Largely restricted to a Swampy tall reed
Habitat. In winters can migrate to areas of lesser dense reed cover,
however, presence of water nearby is a must.
Favorite habitat includes large
expanses of 'Saccharum munja' and 'Saccharum spontaneum'
grass dotted with 'Tamarix dioica' in regions subject to
seasonal inundation, as well as extensive reed beds of mixed 'Phragmites
karka' and 'Typha angustata'.
Red Data Status:
Near threatened.
World Distribution:
An endemic specie confined to northern part
of Indian Subcontinent. It occurs in 2 disjunct populations.
Worldwide, it occurs only in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. Ssp.
burnesii is endemic to Pakistan with a limited distribution in
North West India. Ssp. cinerascens is endemic to India and
Bangladesh, but very rare in occurence.
Distribution in Pakistan:
It is resident in the reedbeds of Indus
River system. Occurs in reedbeds of all 5 major Rivers. It is also
found in Pakistan in the vicinity of Lakes and riverside ponds.
Places to See Rufous-vented Prinia:
In Pakistan the best sites to encounter
Rufous-vented Prinia are Ghauspur Jheel, Kandhkot, Khairpur, Sukkur,
East Narra, Taunsa Barrage, Panjnad, Lal Sohanran, Trimmu, Balloki and
Marala Barrages. At all these places this Prinia is 'Abundant' in
occurence.
