Broad-tailed Grassbird Schoenicola platyurus Scientific name definitions

A poorly-known endemic of the Western Ghats of southwest India, the Broad-tailed Grassbird is a medium-sized Locustellid warbler with a distinctive broad, fan-shaped tail. Found primarily in wet, montane grasslands, this species breeds during the southwest monsoons, a period of high rainfall. In this season, it is relatively easy to locate in its preferred habitat on account of its conspicuous song, issued from prominent perches and during aerial flight displays. Outside of the monsoon season, the Broad-tailed Grassbird tends to skulk in dense vegetation and is very difficult to observe. Isolated records from outside the breeding range suggest some local movement within peninsular India, but much remains to be learned about this intriguing species. With the degradation and loss of grassland habitats, the Broad-tailed Grassbird appears to have declined in recent years and is classified as a threatened species, although it is likely to have been overlooked in many parts of its range. Recent records have extended its range considerably to the north of historical records, and it will no doubt continue to be found at new localities with additional survey effort. However, preservation of montane grasslands in the Western Ghats is essential to maintain healthy populations. This article summarizes what is known of the biology, distribution, and status of this enigmatic species.