Broad-tailed Grassbird (Schoenicola platyurus)

Other Names (World)
Broad-tailed Grassbird, Broad-tailed Warbler, Broad-tailed Grass-warbler, Indian Broad-tailed Grass-warbler

Family
Locustellidae (Grasshopper-warblers And Grassbirds)

Size
18 cm

First Described (Guide)
(Jerdon, 1844)

Habitat
Dense, tall grass and reeds, interspersed with patchy scrub and bushes on open hillsides, sometimes on steep slopes, but particularly marshy or damp depressions around hilltops, from 900-2,000 m.

Range (Guide)

India (B) (NB).

Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu in India (B). Unconfirmed record from Sri Lanka.

Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.

Population
Estimated population is 2,500 - 9,999 (2010) and decreasing.

Status VU
Destruction and degradation of grassland by planting exotic trees are the main threat.

For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.

Habits
During breeding season it climbs prominent perches and performs song-flights.

Voice
Sweet, shrill trill, delivered in a constant stream and ending with a few warbling and 'chak' notes. Also sharp metallic 'zink' notes when agitated. Territorial songs are uttered from tall exposed perches that emerge above the grass.

Xeno-Canto Sound Files (more (12)...)

Broad-tailed Grassbird (Schoenicola platyurus) [XC100790]
by Mahesh Ghanekar from Munnar, Kerala, India (call)

Broad-tailed Grassbird (Schoenicola platyurus) [XC297128]
by Mahesh Ghanekar from Pune, India, India (call, call ending with two tone juv)

Subspecies
No subspecies.

Treated as forming a superspecies with Fan-tailed Grassbird (Schoenicola brevirostris). Often considered conspecific with Fan-tailed Grassbird (Schoenicola brevirostris).

Similar Species
Thick-billed Warbler (Arundinax aedon) resembles worn plumage, but lacks supercilium and has a narrower tail.

References
See References.

Files:

More Information

BirdLife International

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BirdLife International Species Factsheet.

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