Grey-crowned Prinia Assessment
The Grey-crowned Prinia (Prinia cinereocapilla), listed as “Vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, is known from India, Nepal, and Bhutan. Within India, the species has been recorded only from Uttarakhand, Assam, and a single record from Chandigarh. Most recent observations come from Uttarakhand—specifically from Dehradun and Nainital districts.
The species typically inhabits scrub on montane hill slopes, a habitat increasingly threatened by human activities and expanding construction. Notably, many of the recent sightings in Uttarakhand have been outside the state’s Protected Area network, underscoring the need for focused conservation attention. Furthermore, very little is known about the species’ ecology, breeding range, and habitat preferences.
To address these gaps, Titli Trust, with support from the Astral Foundation, is initiating a year-long rapid assessment of the status and distribution of the Grey-crowned Prinia in Uttarakhand, beginning in October 2025.