Namaqua warbler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Namaqua warbler |
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| At Brandvlei, Northern Cape, South Africa | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Phragmacia
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| Species: |
substriata
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The Namaqua warbler (scientific name: Phragmacia substriata) is a small bird found in southern Africa. It is also known as the Namaqua prinia or white-breasted prinia. This little bird belongs to a group called cisticolid warblers. It is the only member of its special bird family, Phragmacia.
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What Does the Namaqua Warbler Look Like?
The Namaqua warbler is about 12 to 13 centimeters (around 5 inches) long. It has short, rounded wings and a long tail. Its legs are strong, and its bill (beak) is short, straight, and black.
This bird has a whitish stripe above its eye, like an eyebrow. Its upper body is a rich reddish-brown color. The throat and lower part of its face are whitish. Its chest is white with very light stripes. The back part of its sides is a light brown color. The long, brown tail usually sticks up at an angle. Its feet and legs are pinkish-brown, and its eyes are brown.
Male and female Namaqua warblers look the same. Young birds are a bit duller in color than the adults. Their calls sound like a high-pitched treeep-treep-trrrrrr.
How to Tell it Apart from Other Birds
The Namaqua warbler can sometimes be confused with the Karoo prinia. However, the Karoo prinia has a shorter tail that is not as wispy. Its back is also a duller brown, and the feathers under its tail have light brown tips.
Where Do Namaqua Warblers Live?
These birds live all year round in western South Africa and southern Namibia. They are found only in the Karoo region. They like to live in thick bushes found in dry riverbeds and in areas with reeds near rivers and dams.
Namaqua Warbler Behavior
Namaqua warblers are usually seen in pairs or small groups. They often stay low in the bushes. They search for small insects to eat, often with their tails held up high.
How We Protect Namaqua Warblers
The Namaqua warbler is a common bird. It lives across a very large area, estimated to be about 380,000 square kilometers (about 146,700 square miles). Scientists believe there are many Namaqua warblers. Their numbers are not decreasing quickly. Because of this, the bird is listed as "least concern" by the IUCN Red List. This means it is not currently at risk of disappearing.
