long graduated tail; small-bodied; brownish (South Africa; 2007-06-30)


Black-chested Prinia
Prinia flavicans

Native Range: Africa

Notes: the black chest that gives this species its name is present only in the breeding plumage; at non-breeding times of the year, birds lack the black chest band (as in the pictures below) and instead are much tawnier-yellow underneath; found singly or in small family groups in thornveld and suburbia.

frontal view of nonbreeder; yellow wash below (South Africa; 2007-06-30)
upperparts darker brownish (South Africa; 2007-06-30)

often cocks its tail thusly (South Africa; 2007-06-30)
non-breeder posing; just a hint of chest band (South Africa; 2007-06-30)