The grey wren-warbler (Calamonastes simplex) is a species of bird in the family Cisticolidae. It is found in Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. Its natural habitat is dry savanna.

Grey wren-warbler
Calls recorded in Maungo, Kenya
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Cisticolidae
Genus: Calamonastes
Species:
C. simplex
Binomial name
Calamonastes simplex
(Cabanis, 1878)
Synonyms
  • Camaroptera simplex
Grey Wren-Warbler at Lake Bogoria - Kenya
Grey Wren-Warbler (ventral view) at Lake Bogoria - Kenya

The grey wren-warbler is a shy bird found in dense bush and undergrowth. It is normally found singly or in pairs and is a dark brownish-grey with inconspicuous barred markings. The tail is black and the eye red. It is more likely to be heard than seen though there may be an occasional glimpse of its tail which wags up and down as it forages. Its sharp call is rather like two stones striking each other.[2]

References

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  1. ^ BirdLife International (2016). "Calamonastes simplex". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22713876A94392876. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22713876A94392876.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Kenyan Birds". Archived from the original on 2010-07-16. Retrieved 2010-12-22.