Scotocerca inquieta - Streaked Scrub Warbler
Feather characters. Barbules are rather short (0.59-0.84 mm) and divided into pigmented nodes and partly pigmented (less than 50%) internodes. Dark stippled pigment may be found in distal internodes. Bell-shaped nodes are equally distributed along the entire length of barbules (34-40 per mm). They all are about the same size, slightly decreasing towards distal end. Villi are rounded and internodes are straight. Prongs are absent, although in some cases minute prongs may be found on distal end. Barbules have this typical structure for Passeriformes; pigmented, bell-shaped nodes combined with rounded villi.
Field characters. Size 10 cm. Weight (8.1-9.4) (Dunning, 1993). Shape generally similar to Graceful Prinia, but with longer, constantly moved and often cocked tail, and more wren-like appearance. Middle Eastern nominate inquieta has upperparts largely grey-brown, with dark streaks on crown and (faintly) on mantle; wings and tail isabelline-brown, tips of tail-feathers white; underparts buff-white, with faint streaks on breast. Flat-crowned head with greyish-white supercilium and dark eye-stripe. Race saharae of N Africa is paler, more sandy-coloured above, lacking streaks on mantle; underparts creamy-white, flanks and side of breast washed pinkish-buff. Juvenile of both races resembles adult, but head-pattern fainter. Mainly terrestrial, often seen on the ground near bush. Separated from Graceful Prinia by dark eye-stripe, breast-streaking, song, and terrestrial behaviour.
Voice. Most common call 'che-wee', but also rasping 'prrt'; alarm-call repeated 'pip'. Song opens with fine tit-like 'di-di-di-di' and ends with 'tee-tee-tee-lu-lu-lu' like Woodlark (Lullula arborea, not included in BRIS).
Distribution. Resident in N Africa and Middle East. Map: see MapIt.
Habitat. Stony to sandy (semi-)desert with low bush- and shrub-cover. Nests in low shrub.
Food. Insects, mainly taken from the ground; in winter also takes seeds.