Page 320 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

WARBLERS AND ALLIES
Order Passeriformes Family Sylviidae Species Sylvia melanocephala
Sardinian Warbler
deep black cap
extends onto cheeks

short, round
wings red eye-ring

pale grey
back
MALE
long big white
tail throat orange-red
eye-ring
grey head
IN FLIGHT
browner, paler
than male
whitish
underside
white
throat
long dark tail
with white sides MALE white edges
to tail
ne of the Mediterranean warblers, very
Orare north of its usual range, characteristic of FEMALE
stony places with low, scattered bushes and scrub,
the Sardinian Warbler is long-tailed and dark-
capped.Typical views may be little more than a FLIGHT: short, bouncy, flitting flights between
glimpse of a small bird with a long tail disappearing clumps of cover.
into a bush, perhaps not to be seen again. In BRIGHT EYE-RING
some places, it frequents taller trees in gardens Even on the browner female
and orchards.This warbler has a distinctive rapid, Sardinian Warbler, the red eye-ring
rattling call that gives away its presence at is a distinct feature.
frequent intervals, however, and patience is
usually rewarded by a better view. It is often seen
in pairs or small family groups, but does not
form larger flocks.
VOICE Loud, hard, short call and frequent fast,
hard rattle, krr-rr-rr-rr-rr-rr-rr-rr-rr-rr-t; song fast,
unmusical, rattling chatter with calls interspersed.
NESTING Small, neat cup in low bush; 3–5 eggs;
2 broods;April–July.
FEEDING Takes small insects and spiders, mostly
low in vegetation or on ground beneath.
SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRENCE
Resident in most of Spain, Portugal,
RUPPELL’S SUBALPINE WARBLER 3 smaller black S France, Mediterranean region,
WARBLER 3 similar to 3; see p.320 cap on male
similar to 3; and very rare farther north. In bushy
see p.442 areas, sometimes in open woodland
black
throat with scrub, more often thickets
around buildings, thorny growth
reddish breast
stockier bluer over stone walls, and similar areas.
back grey
BLACKCAP 32; throat Seen in the UK
see p.316 JF M A M J JA S ON D
Length 13–14cm (5–5 1 ⁄2in) Wingspan 15–18cm (6–7in) Weight 10–14g ( 3 ⁄8 – 1 ⁄2oz)
Social Family groups Lifespan Up to 5 years Status Secure
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