Bristled Grassbird Chaetornis striata Scientific name definitions

Since its scientific description in the 1800s, the Bristled Grassbird has been found across most of the lowland regions of India, as well as Nepal, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. However, it remains an enigmatic species and exemplifies how little research has focused on grassland birds in South Asia. Named for its distinctive black rictal bristles, this large, somewhat short-billed Locustellid warbler breeds in a variety of lowland grassland habitats, including those near wetlands. Resembling a babbler at first glance, it is difficult to observe at length except during the Southwest monsoon. During the rainy season, its loud distinctive song consists of paired syllables, uttered either from an elevated perch or during a long, meandering display flight. Although it is conspicuous when breeding, it is difficult to study in the nonbreeding period. For example, there are winter records for Bristled Grassbird from across the Indian subcontinent, but the patterns of migration and dispersal are almost completely unknown. Although the species was formerly described as common in suitable habitat, there were relatively few records in the late 1900s. More recent research has found it be a locally common breeding bird at several sites in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, suggesting that it had been overlooked during surveys. Nonetheless, the Bristled Grassbird has undoubtedly declined with the continuing destruction of grasslands and wetlands across the Indian subcontinent and it is classified as a threatened species. Its movements outside the breeding period obscure accurate assessments of its conservation status, and more research is urgently required to improve our knowledge of this mysterious grassbird. This account summarizes the current status of knowledge on the biology, distribution, and conservation status of Bristled Grassbird, and outlines priority areas for future research.