Tawny-flanked Prinia
Afrikaans name: Bruinsylangstertjie
Tawny-flanked Prinia
Photo © Steven Herbert
Prinia subflava
The Tawny-flanked Prinia is a common bird that is widely distributed over the eastern half of South Africa. They are normally found in patches of long grass, low bushes, weeds or other tall vegetation.
They are often found in pairs or small groups and have a habit of clinging to long grass and making their tseep sounding call.
Tawny-flanked Prinias feed mainly on insects but also do eat nectar.
They breed through spring and summer. The nest is oval shaped with the entrance on the side but near the top. Around 3 eggs are laid and it is interesting that the colour of the eggs varies from cream to blue to pink, with or without markings.
Roberts Birds Names by Edition
| Edition | Roberts nr | Scientific name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 649 | Prinia mistacea tenella |
| 2nd | 649 | Prinia subflava |
| 3rd | 649 | Prinia subflava |
| 4th | 649 | Prinia subflava |
| 5th | 683 | Prinia subflava |
| 6th | 683 | Prinia subflava |
| 7th | 691 | Prinia subflava |
| Edition | Roberts nr | English name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 649 | Tawny-flanked Prinia |
| 2nd | 649 | Tawny-flanked Prinia |
| 3rd | 649 | Tawny-flanked Prinia |
| 4th | 649 | Tawny-flanked Prinia |
| 5th | 683 | Tawnyflanked Prinia |
| 6th | 683 | Tawnyflanked Prinia |
| 7th | 691 | Tawny-flanked Prinia |
| Edition | Roberts nr | Afrikaans name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 649 | Bruinsy-langstert-tingtinkie |
| 2nd | 649 | Bruinsy-langstert-tingtinkie |
| 3rd | 649 | Bruinsy-langstert-tinktinkie |
| 4th | 649 | Bruinsy-langstert-tinktinkie |
| 5th | 683 | Bruinsylangstertjie |
| 6th | 683 | Bruinsylangstertjie |
| 7th | 691 | Bruinsylangstertjie |
References and further reading
Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 152Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 115
The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 274
Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 54
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 362
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 340
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 594
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 596
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 460
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 450
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 348
Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 268
Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 358
Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 358
Newman s Garden Birds - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1991 - Page: 80
More Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: P. Ginn & G. McIlleron - Published: 1981 - Page: 32
LBJ s - Author: Newman, Johnson, Solomon, Masterson - Published: 1998 - Page: 60
Ian Sinclair s Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 258
Geoff Lockwood s Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Geoff Lockwood - Published: 0 - Page: 129
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 63
Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 174
Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Published: 2004 - Page: 185
Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 214
Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 101
Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 230
Birds of Africa south of the Sahara - Author: Ian Sinclair and Peter Ryan - Published: 2003 - Page: 520
Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 184
A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 248
This website features affiliate links, meaning we’ll earn a small commission if you purchase through these links.
Copyright Steven Herbert Projects, 2013 - 2025. All rights reserved.
