Ashy Wren Warbler at its nest, in Sri Lanka

From the archive record

The Ashy Prinia or Ashy Wren-Warbler (Prinia socialis) or phutki ,is a small warbler a resident breeder of the Indian subcontinent, western Myanmar and Sri Lanka. This passerine bird is usually found in dry open grassland, open woodland, scrub and in home gardens in many cities. In India it is found in abundance along the Himalayan foothills extending into the upper Indus river system. Ashy Wren Warbler can be easily identified by its small size, distinctive colors and upright tail. These 13-14 cm long warblers have short rounded wings, a longish tail usually held upright, strong legs and a short black bill. The crown is grey and the under parts rufous in most plumages. In breeding plumage, adults are ash grey above, with a black crown and cheek with no supercilium and rufescent wings. In