Rüppell's Warbler

Sylvia rueppelli

Photo by RAY H

Identification

Alternate common name(s): Ruppell's Warbler The Rueppell's Warbler or Rüppell's Warbler, Sylvia rueppelli, is a typical warbler of the genus Sylvia. These are small typical warblers, similar in size but slimmer than the Sardinian Warbler. The adults have a plain grey back and paler grey underparts. The bill is fine and pointed and the legs brown. The male has a black head and, usually, a black throat, separated by a white malar streak ("moustache"). The eye is red. Females have a pale throat, and the head is grey rather than black. Their grey back has a brownish tinge. The song is a slower, deeper rattle than that of Sardinian Warbler.

Distribution

It breeds in Greece, Turkey and neighbouring islands. It is migratory, wintering in north east Africa. This is a rare vagrant to western Europe.

Taxonomy

Together with the Cyprus Warbler it forms a superspecies with dark throats, white malar streaks and light remiges fringes. This in turn is related to the species of Mediterranean and Middle East Sylvia warblers that have a naked eye-ring, namely the Subalpine Warbler, Sardinian Warbler and Menetries' Warbler. Both groups have a white malar area, but this may not form a clear streak in the latter group; above the white, the heads of males are uniformly dark.(Helbig 2001, Jønsson & Fjeldså 2006)

Habitat

These small passerine birds are found in thick thorny shrubs.

Behaviour

4-6 eggs are laid in a nest in a bush.

Like most "warblers", this species is insectivorous.

External Links

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