From Opus

Photo by Ragna
Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk, July 2003

Acrocephalus scirpaceus

[edit] Identification

12.5cm
Brown with a rusty tinge. Paler underparts with a whitish throat. Thin brownish bill. Legs dark brown.
Juvenile is very similar to the adult but rather brighter with tawny-orange tints to upperparts. Legs flesh-coloured.

[edit] Similar Species

Marsh Warbler, Blyth's Reed Warbler, African Reed Warbler

[edit] Distribution

Europe,western Asia, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa. A non-migratory population in Morocco is currently referred to this species.

[edit] Taxonomy

Photo by Qingcol
Amble, Cornwall, June 2008

[edit] Subspecies

Two subspecies are recognized^[1]:

• A. s. scirpaceus:

• North-western Africa and Europe to Crimea and Volga River; winters in westerm and central Africa

• A. s. fuscus:

• Eastern Mediterranean and Caspian to Kazakstan; winters to southern Africa

[edit] Habitat

Reedbeds and some bushes.

[edit] Behaviour

[edit] Diet

The diet includes mainly insects, though some berries are taken.

[edit] Breeding

Monogamous.
It builds a basket like nest in reeds. The clutch consists of 3-5 eggs, which are pale greenish-white with dark specks or splotches. The young fledge after 10 or 11 days.

It is brood parasitised by the Common Cuckoo.

[edit] Vocalisation

[edit] References

1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2012. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2012. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
2. Collins Pocket Guide to British Birds 1966
3. Collins Field Guide 5th Edition
4. Birdforum thread discussing Moroccan Reed Warblers
5. The Observers Book of Birds' Eggs
6. Wikipedia

• List of references

[edit] External Links

Reed Warbler Identification Thread