[2] This prinia is a resident breeder in the Indian subcontinent, ranging across most of India, Nepal, Bangladesh, eastern Pakistan, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and western Myanmar.

It is a common bird in urban gardens and farmlands in many parts of India and its small size, distinctive colours and upright tail make it easy to identify.

These 13–14 cm long warblers have short rounded wings and a longish graduated cream tail tipped with black subterminal spots.

In breeding plumage, adults of the northern population are ash grey above, with a black crown and cheek with no supercilium and coppery brown wings.

[4] In winter, the northern subspecies, P. s. stewartii Blyth, 1847, has warm brown upperparts and a longer tail and has seasonal variation in plumage.

It also makes a sound like "electric sparks" during its fluttery flight, which is thought to be produced by the wings, although one author suggests that it is made by the beak.

I am of opinion that something similar occurs when the ashy wren-warbler takes to its wings.The non-migratory genus Prinia shows biannual moult, which is rare among passerines.

[8] The song is sung from the top of a bush and males make fluttery display flights with the tail held up.

[4][9] The usual nest is built low in a bush and consists of leaves stitched together with webs, lined with hair and having an entrance on the side.

[12] The species is believed to be monogamous, and both the male and the female take part in incubation and feeding, though to varying extents.