Tawny Grassbird (Graminicola brunneus) 🐦🌾🎶

The Tawny Grassbird (Graminicola brunneus) is a secretive, ground-dwelling warbler, known for its rich brown plumage and long tail. This species is typically found in tall grasslands, reed beds, and wet meadows, where it remains well-camouflaged. Distributed across South and Southeast Asia, it has a patchy presence in India, though it is rarely recorded in the Sundarban. However, its preference for grassland and wetland edges suggests that it may occur in buffer zones and coastal scrub near the mangroves.

📌 Taxonomy and Classification

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Aves
• Order: Passeriformes
• Family: Pellorneidae
• Genus: Graminicola
• Species: Graminicola brunneus

Previously classified under the Sylviidae (Old World Warblers) family, recent studies have placed it in Pellorneidae, a group of ground-loving passerines.

🔍 Morphology and Physical Characteristics

• Size: Medium-sized for a grassbird, measuring 17–20 cm (6.7–7.9 in) in length.
• Weight: Around 20–30 grams.
• Plumage:
  • Warm tawny-brown upperparts, blending with tall grass. 🌾
  • Pale buff underparts, slightly streaked on the chest.
  • Long graduated tail, often flicked while moving.
  • Strong legs and feet, adapted for running through dense vegetation.
• Sexual Dimorphism:
  • Males and females look identical.
• Juveniles:
  • Slightly duller in color, with a shorter tail.

🌍 Habitat and Distribution

The Tawny Grassbird is found in:

• India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.
• Tall grasslands, reed beds, and riverine meadows.
• Marshy habitats with thick undergrowth, where it remains hidden.

📍 Presence in Sundarban

• Rare in the core Sundarban mangroves but may be seen in:
  • Fringes of the Sundarban Biosphere Reserve, where dry grassland patches exist.
  • Riverbanks and coastal scrublands, where it forages among reeds.
  • Paddy fields and wet meadows, using dense vegetation for cover.

Unlike reed warblers, it prefers drier tall grasses over mangrove forests.

🥣 Diet and Feeding Behavior

The Tawny Grassbird is insectivorous, feeding on:

• Grasshoppers, beetles, spiders, caterpillars, and termites. 🦟
• Small worms and larvae, foraged from soil and leaf litter.
• Occasionally small seeds, supplementing its diet.

It forages low in thick grass, using quick, darting movements.

⚡ Special Features and Behavior

• Skilled Camouflage: Blends perfectly with tall grass, making it difficult to spot. 🌿
• Melodious Song: Produces sweet, whistling calls during the breeding season. 🎶
• Ground Forager: Prefers running and hopping rather than flying.
• Territorial Bird: Males defend nesting sites aggressively.
• Breeding Season: Occurs from March to July, with nests hidden in tall grass.

🛡️ Conservation Status

• Classified as Near Threatened (NT) by the IUCN Red List due to:
  • Habitat loss, especially destruction of grasslands and marshes.
  • Agricultural expansion, reducing nesting areas.

Grassland conservation efforts are crucial for its survival.

The Tawny Grassbird is a shy, ground-loving warbler, best known for its rich brown plumage and long tail. Though not a core Sundarban species, it may be found in nearby grassland patches, wetland edges, and riverbanks. For birdwatchers, a Sundarban private tour provides an opportunity to explore coastal scrublands and marshy habitats, where elusive birds like the Tawny Grassbird may be spotted. 🦜🌿

📚 Footnote

For more details on the Tawny Grassbird, visit its Wikipedia page.