Photo: Ron Knight / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
River Prinia
Prinia fluviatilis
River Prinia (Prinia fluviatilis) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The River Prinia (Prinia fluviatilis) is a member of the Cisticolidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 8 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Cisticolidae Cisticolas & Allies
- Genus Prinia
- Species fluviatilis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 8 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Cisticolidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The River Prinia is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The River Prinia is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The River Prinia (Prinia fluviatilis) is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF nw Senegal and sw Mauritania to Chad; nw Kenya.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 8 g, with a wing length of about 4.9 cm and a tail of around 4.7 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 99,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the River Prinia?
The River Prinia is a very small bird that weighs around 8 g.
Where does the River Prinia live?
The River Prinia is found across Africa with a range covering AF nw Senegal and sw Mauritania to Chad; nw Kenya, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the River Prinia belong to?
The River Prinia (Prinia fluviatilis) belongs to the Cisticolidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the River Prinia eat?
The River Prinia is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the River Prinia migrate?
The River Prinia is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the River Prinia endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the River Prinia make?
1 real field recording of the River Prinia — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the River Prinia's range?
The River Prinia has a mapped global range of about 99,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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