- Sylvia curruca
Identification
Unlike many typical warblers, the sexes are almost identical. This is a small species with a grey back, whitish underparts, a grey head with a darker "bandit mask" through the eyes and a white throat. It is slightly smaller than the Whitethroat, and lacks the chestnut wings and uniform head-face color of that species.
Distribution
The Lesser Whitethroat, Sylvia curruca, is a common and widespread typical warbler which breeds in temperate Europe, except the southwest, and in western and central Asia. This small passerine bird is strongly migratory, wintering in Africa just south of the Sahara, Arabia and India.
Taxonomy
Habitat
This is a bird of fairly open country and cultivation, with large bushes for nesting and some trees.
Behaviour
The Lesser Whitethroat's song is a fast and rattling sequence of tet or che calls, quite different from the Whitethroat's scolding song.
Like most "warblers", it is insectivorous, but will also take berries and other soft fruit. The nest is built in low shrub or brambles, and 3-7 eggs are laid.
Bird Song
<flashmp3>Sylvia curruca (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
