Prinia maculosa
The diminutive Karoo Prinia (adults weigh only about 9g) inhabits Karoo scrublands and fynbos both in flatlands and in mountainous areas, often at or near drainage lines and wetlands, and is being seen more and more in gardens and plantations of alien vegetation as well. They feed almost exclusively on insects and other invertebrates.
Pairs of Karoo Prinia defend their territories year-round. They build an oval grass nest with a side entrance deep in a dense bush or shrub and lined with a dense layer of soft plant material and fur. They breed almost throughout the year, with a distinct peak in spring and early summer. The female alone incubates the clutch of 1-5 eggs for a period of about two weeks but the chicks are cared for by both parents after hatching. They fledge about two weeks after hatching.
Despite noting that their population is probably declining due to grazing pressure, the IUCN describes the Karoo Prinia as being common to abundant throughout its range, and considers it of least concern. The Karoo Prinia occurs in Lesotho, South Africa (Free State, Western, Eastern and Northern Cape) and marginally into Namibia.
DeWetsWild 
Dis darem ‘n kleine ou skepseltjie! Pragtige foto’s en inligting, Dries.
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Hulle is vreeslik fraai, Dina, en sit nie n sekonde stil tensy hulle iets in die mond het nie!
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Mmmmmmm jy is seker dis nie net ‘n Little Brown Job nie
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😀
Ek kon darem minder met hierdie LBJ sukkel as met party van die ander, Tina!
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What a pretty little bird. Hopefully it will become more common as a garden bird if its natural scrub habitat is being diminished.
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Sad how we force animals and birds to adapt to our ways, or die, isn’t it Kim?
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Tiny creatures have to have special ways of protecting themselves. Usually the “house” or nest will do as much as anything to give it shelter and camouflage. If you have a recording of their calls, it would be nice to hear.
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I don’t have a recording of my own, Beth, but I can point you to this one on the excellent xeno-canto bird-call website: https://www.xeno-canto.org/399127
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Is the call how you locate them? Really sweet call and such a tiny bird.
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Quite right, Beth – It often is the call that first alerts you to their presence.
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You must have really good eyes to spot that tiny bird amid her camouflage. About how long does it take for you to get a set of pictures like these of something so small?
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These photographs were collected during our 3+ week trip through eight of the national parks in our Eastern and Western Cape Provinces during December, Beth
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Beautiful little bird. Beautiful photos you’ve taken on it.😊
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Thank you very much, John!
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Sure is a cute little thing!
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Very much so, and luckily they are not shy at all!
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looks like such a sweet little bird.
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And they are, Lois!
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such a nice bird and hope it does not decline too much
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If we look after their habitat they should be fine
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good…
🙂
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Regte Karoo voëltjie! Ek het amper klaar getrek en hopelik gaan daar nou weer meer tyd wees vir my eie ontspanning nl om my geliefkooste blogs te lees.
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So n trekkery is n enorme taak – bly om te verneem dat jy amper daar deur is, Ineke!
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Sug, nog n agste moet nog kom. Het ongelukkig hulp nodig en as mens alleen is is dit maar n storie.Ek sal wel daar uitkom.
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Wens ek kon kom hand bysit!
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