Black-chested Prinia
A species of True Prinias Scientific name : Prinia flavicans Genus : True Prinias
Black-chested Prinia, A species of True Prinias
Botanical name: Prinia flavicans
Genus: True Prinias
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Alan Manson , used under CC-BY-SA-2.0 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Description
The black-chested prinia (Prinia flavicans) is a species of bird in the family Cisticolidae. It is found in Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Its natural habitat is dry savanna. Prinias are small warblers that can be distinguished from other warblers by their long tails often held in a near-vertical position. All species are sexually monomorphic. There are four species in the Prinia genus in southern Africa. The three other species are as follows: tawny-flanked prinia (Prinia subflava), Karoo prinia (Prinia maculosa), and Drakensberg prinia (Prinia hypoxantha). Of these four, the black-chested prinia is the only species that has different breeding and non-breeding plumages. The black-chested prinia is aptly named for the charcoal-colored breast band apparent in its breeding plumage. 
Size
13 cm
Nest Placement
Shrub
Feeding Habits
Black-chested Prinia primarily consume insects including small beetles, their larvae, and adult flies. They supplement with plant matter such as seeds and leaves, and are known to probe unopened Aloe marlothii flowers, particularly in the winter.
Habitat
The black-chested Prinia thrives in subtropical climates, predominantly within arid and semi-arid shrublands and the edges of woodland. They are adapted to the southern African thornbelt's distinctive seasons, from hot, dry springs to cold, dry winters. Their preferred habitats include dry acacia savannas dotted with shrubs, fallow croplands, and rural village gardens. Dense Cymbopogon-Themeda grassveld alongside Olea-Buddleia vegetation are crucial for their nesting and feeding. The black-chested Prinia favors more arid regions compared to its congener P. subflava and is replaced by P. maculosa in shrubby karoo areas.
Dite type
Insectivorous
General Info
Feeding Habits
Bird food type
Distribution Area
This species is near-endemic to the southern African thornbelt. Black-chested prinias are most abundant in the Kalahari Basin, where their average densities are 0.7 ha per individual. They experience three distinct seasons within their subtropical climate range: September - October: very hot, dry spring November - May: hot, wet summer June - August: cold, dry winter (Herremans). Along with Acacia habitats, Olea-Buddleia vegetation (within the Cymbopogon-Themeda grassveld) is important in the nesting and feeding habits of black-chested prinia.
Species Status
Not globally threatened.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Perching birds Family
Cisticolas and allies Genus
True Prinias Species
Black-chested Prinia 
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