The Vanishing Bristled Grassbird

In this article, Dr Surya Prakash tells us about the bristled grassbird, known scientifically as Chaetornis striatus. Endemic to the Indian subcontinent, the bristled grassbird finds itself perilously perched on the brink of endangerment, classified as a‘Vulnerable Species’ by the IUCN since 2010. The relentless decline in its population can be attributed primarily to habitat loss. Keep reading to know more...

- Chaetornis striatus

The bristled grassbird, known scientifically as Chaetornis striatus, and also fondly referred to as the bristle grass warbler, casts a cloak of mystique over the hearts of many across India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. Despite the diligent efforts of previous generations of bird watchers and scholars, including luminaries such as Ali Ripley (1987), Roberts (1992), Grimmett, et al. (1998), and Bird Life International (2001),1 the enigma surrounding its residency status in places like Delhi–NCR persists. Various theories swirl around this globally threatened, endemic species of the Indian subcontinent.2 Among these, the prevailing consensus, one that I find myself aligning with, suggests that the bristled grassbird locally migrates to Delhi–NCR with the advent of the South-West monsoon, settling for its breeding season between July and September, only to retreat to the SouthEastern regions post-breeding season. However, the scarcity of concrete data on its seasonal movements necessitates reliance on historical databases regarding its non-breeding habitats (Baral, H.S., 1997a & 2004; Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005).3