Warblers & Allies
Cetti's Warbler
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually. It is heard more than seen as it is a very shy bird and loves to hide in dense vegetation.
Small, warm buff warbler with skulking behaviour, but conspicuous song. Similar in size to Reed Warbler, but with short, rounded wings and rounded tail. Build fairly compact, but bill thin and slender. Supercilium thin and dull. Cheeks and underparts greyish white, lacking the purer white belly of confusion species. Pale eye-ring. Under tail-coverts usually brown with pale fringes. Often flicks tail or holds it raised. Usually hides among undergrowth, and shows itself only when moving from one shrub to another.
Diet
Insects and larvae.
Longevity record
7 years 6 months (UK, KV 98586)
Bagħal tal-Għollieq
Cettia cetti
Passeriformes
Cettiidae
Common
Usually seen in
All year round for resident breeding birds.
Occasionally seen in
-
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Weight (g):
13 - 14
9 - 17
Zitting Cisticola
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually or in pairs. However a number of individuals can be seen in the same area.
Formerly known as the 'Fan-tailed Warbler'. Small, short winged warbler. Tail fan-shaped with black and white tips. Heavily streaked back, buff underparts and pale throat and vent. Pale area around eye. Flight diagnostic, with whirring wings and short, slightly spread, fan-like tail. Song flight even more distinct, with long undulations synchronised with voice.
Diet
It forages among grasses and gleans preys from bases of clumps of grasses. It occasionally hawks flying insects. It forages by walking and hopping on the ground. Its diet includes insects and small invertebrates such as grasshoppers, mantids, dragonflies, moths, caterpillars and insect larvae, mayflies and flies, spiders and snails. Some grass seeds are taken too.
Longevity record
-
Usually seen in
All year round for resident breeding birds.
Occasionally seen in
-
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Weight (g):
10 - 11
8 - 12
Savi's Warbler
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually.
Reedbed-living, dull coloured warbler with fan-shaped tail. Under tail coverts lacking pale fringes or markings. Vague and short supercilium. Differs from other locustella by unstreaked chest, back and under tail coverts. From Reed Warbler and Marsh Warbler by very long and buff under tail coverts, smaller head and pinkish legs.
Diet
They feed on insects such as flies, beetles, moths, grubs and damselflies.
Longevity record
9 years 9 months (Hungary, P 45251)
Usually seen in
April, October
Occasionally seen in
February - March, June, August - September
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Weight (g):
13.5 - 15
14 - 17
Yellow-browed Warbler
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually.
Small and secretive warbler, usually discovered by the contact call. Broad, yellow/whitish wing-bars framed in black, and dark tertials with pale fringes gives the species a contrasting plumage. Long and strong yellow supercilium (lacking the orange base of Pallas' Leaf Warbler). No central crown-stripe. Slightly smaller than a Chiffchaff, with smaller bill and shorter tail. Rump same colour as back (as opposed to Pallas'), and overall greener and more strikingly coloured than Hume's Leaf Warbler (but beware individual variation).
Diet
They feed on insects such as flies, beetles, moths, grubs and damselflies.
Longevity record
-
Vjolin tal-Faxx
Phylloscopus inornatus
Passeriformes
Phylloscopidae
Very scarce
Usually seen in
April, October - November
Occasionally seen in
February - March, May, September, December
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Weight (g):
9 - 10.5
5 - 8
Eastern Bonelli's Warbler
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually.
The adult has a plain grey-green back, green-toned rump and wings and whitish underparts. The bill is small and pointed and the legs brown. The sexes are identical, as with most warblers.
The Eastern Bonelli's warbler lacks the browner tinge to the upperparts that Western Bonelli's warbler has; it sometimes has a greenish tinge instead. The song is a fast monotone trill, only slightly different from Western Bonelli's, and also some similarity to Wood Warbler. The call of the Eastern Bonelli's warbler is a hard chup, and completely different from the disyllabic hu-it of Western Bonelli's
The genus name Phylloscopus is from Ancient Greek phullon, "leaf", and skopos, "seeker" (from skopeo, "to watch"). The specific orientalis is Latin for "eastern".
Diet
Like most warblers, the Eastern Bonelli's is insectivorous.
Longevity record
-
Usually seen in
March - May
Occasionally seen in
-
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Weight (g):
9 - 10.5
7 - 9
Western Bonelli's Warbler
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually.
The adult has a plain grey-green back, green-toned rump and wings and whitish underparts. The bill is small and pointed and the legs brown. The sexes are identical, as with most warblers.
The Western Bonelli's warbler has a browner tinge to the upperparts than Eastern Bonelli's warbler; the latter sometimes has a greenish tinge instead.
The song is a fast monotone trill, only slightly different from Eastern Bonelli's, and also some similarity to Wood Warbler. The call of the Western Bonelli's warbler is a disyllabic hu-it, differing from that of Eastern which is a completely different hard chup.
Diet
Like most warblers, the Western Bonelli's is insectivorous.
Longevity record
-
Usually seen in
March - May
Occasionally seen in
August - October
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Weight (g):
9 - 10.5
7 - 9
Wood Warbler
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually but multiple numbers can be within the same area.
Most distinct species of the genus. Most similar to Willow Warbler, but with much more contrasting plumage. Upperparts pure green. Throat and upper chest yellow, contrasting with pure white underparts. Distinct and strong yellow supercilium and black eye-stripe. Long primary projection, with primaries reaching middle of relatively short tail. Tertials with pale green fringes. Legs pale yellowish brown. Posture often horizontal with drooping wings.
Diet
Wood Warblers' diet seems to be quite diverse. Caterpillars (17–81%) appear to be a predominant prey, but also spiders (5–21%) and various winged insects.
Longevity record
10 years 3 months (Germany, AL 5318)
Vjolin Ħadrani / Tal-Maltemp
Phylloscopus sibilatrix
Passeriformes
Phylloscopidae
Fairly common
Usually seen in
April - May
Occasionally seen in
March, June, August - November
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Weight (g):
11 - 12.5
8 - 12
Common Chifchaff
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually but multiple numbers can be within the same area.
Olive green upperparts, yellowish chest with gradual transition to off-white belly. Very similar to Willow Warbler, and most field characters are subtle and often hard to see. Distinguished by (usually) black, or dark-brown legs, only faint dark framing to ear-coverts, less marked supercilium. Shorter primary projection (1/2 to 2/3'rds the lenght of tertials), with regularly spaced tips (visible when wing folded). Wings more fan-shaped and less pointed than in Willow Warbler. Juveniles much less yellow below than in W.Warbler. Generally leaves a duller and greyer impression than W. Warbler, but plumage very variable. Frequently flicks tail, even sideways. Generally also more active when moving among the foliage.
Diet
The chiffchaff feeds on insects and invertebrates. Flies, gnats, midges and caterpillars form a large part of its diet. Seeds and berries may be taken in winter.
Longevity record
8 years (Hungary, T 109177)
Vjolin tax-Xitwa
Phylloscopus collybita
Passeriformes
Phylloscopidae
Fairly common
Usually seen in
October - April
Occasionally seen in
June - July
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Weight (g):
10 - 12
6 - 9
Siberian Chifchaff
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually.
It has been split as a different species from the Common Chiffchaff very recently and it is difficult to identify with precision. The key features for the Siberian Chiffchaff are,
(1) absence of olive in the crown and mantle
(2) presence of a grey-brown or pale brown hue in the upperparts
(3) absence of yellow away from the underwing
(4) presence of warm buff in the supercilium and tobacco ear-coverts
(5) supercilium standing out more than the white eye ring
(6) presence of whitish buff/ lack of yellow hints at the breast-sides/flanks
(7) very black-looking bill and legs
(8) a thin, piping monosyllabic Dunnock-like call
(9) a song markedly different from Common Chiffchaff’s
Diet
The chiffchaff feeds on insects and invertebrates. Flies, gnats, midges and caterpillars form a large part of its diet. Seeds and berries may be taken in winter.
Longevity record
8 years (Hungary, T 109177)
Usually seen in
-
Occasionally seen in
October - July
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Weight (g):
11 - 12
6 - 11
Willow Warbler
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually but multiple numbers can be within the same area.
Olive green upperparts, yellowish chest with gradual transition to off-white belly. Very similar to Chiff-chaff, and most field characters are subtle and often hard to see. Distinguished by (usually) pale, yellow-brown legs, dark framing to ear-coverts, stronger supercilium. Long primary projection (often 3/4ths the length of tertials) with irregularly spaced tips (visible when wing folded). Wings slightly more pointed than in Chiff-chaff, and not so fan-shaped. Juveniles often with whole underparts yellow. Frequently flicks tail, but not sideways (unlike Chiff-chaff). Generally also more calm when moving among the foliage.
Diet
Willow warblers are active during the day, feeding on a variety of small insects and spiders, as well as fruits and berries in the autumn.
Longevity record
10 years 10 months (UK, 9J 1321)
Vjolin Pastard
Phylloscopus trochilus
Passeriformes
Phylloscopidae
Fairly common
Usually seen in
March - May, August - October
Occasionally seen in
June, November
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Weight (g):
11 - 12.5
7 - 12
Eurasian Blackcap
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually but can be seen in pairs.
Large and robust warbler with plain plumage, except for the characteristic cap (black in males, rufous in females and juveniles). Upperparts greyish brown and underparts pale grey. Vent white. No white in tail, as opposed to all other black-capped Sylvias in the region. Easily confused with Garden Warbler if the cap is not seen.
Diet
Blackcaps will pick insects, caterpillars and spiders from among the shrubs. In winter they will eat fruit such as berries.
Longevity record
13 years 10 months (Czech Republic, T 274613)
Kapinera
Sylvia atricapilla
Passeriformes
Sylviidae
Fairly common
Usually seen in
September - March
Occasionally seen in
April - May, July
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Weight (g):
13.5 - 15
15 - 24
Garden Warbler
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually but can be seen in small groups.
An almost featureless, large warbler with greyish brown upperparts and buff underparts. Lack of distinct characters is a character! Most distinct character is probably the faint, slate grey half-collar. Vent has no markings, eye is dark and bill is relatively short. Body quite plump, and facial expression gentle and mild. Usually stays hidden in foliage. Lacks nervous behaviour of other Sylvia, and does not normally flick its tail and wings.
Diet
The garden warbler feeds mainly on insects in the breeding season, although other small invertebrates such as spiders are also eaten. It picks its prey off leaves and twigs, sometimes hovering to do so. It is also found in fig and loquat trees picking on fruit.
Longevity record
14 years 2 months (Shot in Germany, 393985)
Bekkafik
Sylvia borin
Passeriformes
Sylviidae
Fairly common
Usually seen in
April - June, August - October
Occasionally seen in
November - December
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Weight (g):
13 - 14.5
15 - 27
Rüppell's Warbler
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually but can be seen in pairs.
Adult male easily recognized by black throat and strong white moustache stripes. Female often also with black spotted throat which, together with the moustache stripe and pale chest/belly, makes it easy to distinguish from other Sylvia. Females and immatures with pure white throat may be confused with female Sardinian Warbler, but show darker front half of head, paler and purer coloured belly and flanks (lacking brownish tinge) and white fringes to greater coverts and tertials (less obvious in worn plumage). For all plumages look for curved culmen, pointed bill and longer and squarer tail than Sardinian Warbler. Build more similar to Whitethroat than Sardinian Warbler, and also less agile than smaller Sylvia.
Diet
Like most "warblers", it is insectivorous, but will also take soft fruit
Longevity record
-
Usually seen in
March - April
Occasionally seen in
May, September - October
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Weight (g):
12.5 - 13.5
9 - 15
Sardinian Warbler
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually, in pairs and in smaller groups.
Slender warbler with long tail, short wings and pointed bill. Restless and alert with frequently raised crown feathers and dark eye framed in red. Male with black head, white throat, greyish upperparts and off-white underparts. Female less striking, with grey head grey-brown upperparts, distinct buff flanks and paler belly. Both sexes with white sides and corners to tail. Rarely sits exposed, and usually betrays itself by it's frequently used scolding call. Often just glimpsed when it dives into a bush, spreading it's tail and showing the white markings.
Diet
Like most "warblers", it is insectivorous, but will also take soft fruit
Longevity record
8 years 4 months (Spain, 146809)
Usually seen in
All months of the year. Resident bird.
Occasionally seen in
-
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Weight (g):
13 - 14
10 - 15
Eastern Subalpine Warbler
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually, in pairs and in smaller groups.
Medium small Sylvia with short tail, slender body and steep forehead. Bill slim,fairly short and pointed. Male with rufous breast and conspicuous, broad, white moustache stripes. Upperparts lead grey. Female with slightly more brownish upperparts and buff white below. Immature birds has greyish brown upperparts, and are prone to confusion with Spectacled Warbler due to broad, brown fringes of tertials. The colour is however less rufous, and the dark centre ends in a rounded, not pointed tip. Pale legs in all sexes and ages, but some variation. Eye-ring colour variable, but generally red in male and very pale in female and immature (rules out other Sylvia except Tristram and Sardinian). Colour of upperparts more uniform than in confusion species in both male and female. May cock tail, but does not keep it raised like Dartford Warbler.
Diet
Like most "warblers", it is insectivorous, but will also take soft fruit.
Longevity record
-
Usually seen in
March - May, July - October
Occasionally seen in
February, November
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Weight (g):
12 - 13
9 - 13
Common Whitethroat
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually.
Fairly large warbler with long tail, giving the whole bird an elongated look. Tertials, secondaries and coverts with rufous fringes in contrast to greyish brown back. Underparts pale with buff flanks. Outer tail feathers white. Steep forehead and white throat. Males with slate grey head.
Diet
It is insectivorous, but will also take soft fruit.
Longevity record
9 years (Sweden, 2KK72878)
Usually seen in
March - May
Occasionally seen in
August - November
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Weight (g):
13 - 15
13 - 21
Lesser Whitethroat
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually.
Similar to Common Whitethroat but, with greyish fringes on secondaries and shorter tail and wings. Forehead less steep than in Common Whitethroat. Upperparts evenly dark brown with no contrast between shoulders and back. Head grey with slightly darker ear-coverts. Throat and belly white. Legs dark. Tail dark with white edges.
Diet
It is insectivorous, but will also take soft fruit.
Longevity record
7 years 11 months (UK,N 439903)
Usually seen in
September - October
Occasionally seen in
March - May
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Weight (g):
11.5 - 13.5
11 - 16
Spectacled Warbler
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually.
Small and short-winged Sylvia with large head and high crown. In all plumages; evenly warm rufous wing-panel (lacking dark centered greater coverts of Whitethroat), very short primary projection, dark tail, thin pointed bill, narrow dark centres to tertials, pure white chin and (incomplete) white eye-ring. Adult male with lead-grey head, dark/black lore and often grey lower throat. Female and immature differs from Whitethroat by short primary projection, smaller size, slender build and thinner bill. Told from immature Subalpine Warbler by warmer rufous wings with only narrow dark centres to tertials.
Diet
It is insectivorous, but will also take soft fruit.
Longevity record
-
Usually seen in
All months. Resident bird.
Occasionally seen in
-
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Weight (g):
12 - 13
8 - 11
Dartford Warbler
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually.
Small and slender Sylvia about the size of Lesser Whitethroat. The short wings, steep forehead and striking long tail alone is often enough for positive id. Upperparts dark slate grey, and underparts of male vinous red with finely white spotted throat. Female less brightly coloured with more brownish tones and less red underparts. Immature duller still, with brownish underparts rather than red. Yellow base of lower mandible in all ages and sex. Lacks the white moustache-stripe of Subalpine Warbler. Tail frequently held raised. Skulking behaviour. Prefers scrubs and is usually only glimpsed when moving low from bush to bush, or when singing from more exposed perch.
Diet
It is insectivorous, but will also take soft fruit.
Longevity record
-
Usually seen in
October - March
Occasionally seen in
April, September
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Weight (g):
13 - 14
9 - 12
Goldcrest
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually but multiple birds can be seen roaming the same area.
This not just the smallest bird visiting the Maltese islands but also the smallest bird of the Western Palaearctic. Crown stripe yellow in female, orange in male. Since bird is often viewed from below, the crown stripe is often not visible. The dark eye with the large, pale grey eye-ring is a better character. Pale wingbars and pale tips of tertials. No supercilium. Behaviour essentially tit-like. Restlessly moving among branches in treetops, with frequent hovering to get at insects.
Diet
Mostly insects and spiders.
Longevity record
5 years 5 months (Found dead in Denmark, 8A 46230)
Usually seen in
November - March
Occasionally seen in
April, October
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Weight (g):
8.5 - 9.5
4.5 - 7
Firecrest
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually but multiple birds can be seen roaming the same area.
This not the second smallest bird visiting the Maltese islands but also one of the smallest birds in the Western Palaearctic. Distinct head markings, with black eye-stripe contrasting with broad, white supercilium. Top of head yellow (female), or orange (male), framed by black crown stripes. Characteristic orange shoulder patch, lacking in all confusion species. Immature is distinguished by present supercilium, other head markings absent.
Diet
Mostly insects and spiders.
Longevity record
5 years
Usually seen in
October - March
Occasionally seen in
April, September
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Weight (g):
9 - 10
5 - 7
Western Olivaceous Warbler
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually.
It is a medium-sized warbler looking more like a very pale Reed Warbler. The adults have a plain pale brown back and whitish underparts. The bill is strong and pointed and the legs grey. The sexes are identical, as with most warblers, but young birds are more buff on the belly. It has a characteristic downward tail flick.
Western Olivaceous Warbler breeds in Iberia and North Africa. It is migratory, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa. It is larger and has a browner tinge to the upperparts than the Eastern Olivaceous Warbler. It also has a larger bill. The song is a fast nasal babbling.
Diet
It is insectivorous, but will also take soft fruit.
Longevity record
-
Usually seen in
May
Occasionally seen in
March - April, June - September
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Weight (g):
12 - 13.5
10 - 15
Eastern Olivaceous Warbler
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually.
It is a medium-sized warbler resembling a very pale Reed Warbler. The adult has a plain pale brown back and whitish underparts. The bill is strong and pointed and the legs grey. The sexes are identical, as with most warblers, but young birds are more buff on the belly. It has a characteristic downward tail flick.
Western Olivaceous Warbler differs from this species in being larger and having a browner tinge to the upperparts; it also has a larger bill. Eastern Olivaceous Warbler sometimes has a greenish tinge to its upperparts. The song is a fast nasal babbling.
Diet
It is insectivorous, but will also take soft fruit.
Longevity record
-
Usually seen in
May
Occasionally seen in
April, July, September - October
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Weight (g):
12 - 13.5
10 - 15
Icterine Warbler
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually but occasionally multiple numbers are recorded in the same area.
Green upperparts and yellow underparts. Sides of bill yellowish, legs slate grey. Short yellow supercilium which connects to yellow lore. Long wings and relatively short tail. The flat crown and long bill gives it a different head profile from Sylvia warblers. Often raises crown feathers. Very similar to Melodious Warbler, but differs from this in pale wing-panel and longer wings. Folded wings reaches tip of under tail coverts, and primary projection is as long as tertials. Juveniles paler than adults, with whitish supercilium. The pale wing-panel extends to fringes of greater coverts in addition to secondaries. Alert and agile bird. Usually hidden in foliage, also when singing
Diet
It is insectivorous, but will also take soft fruit.
Longevity record
10 years 10 months (Shot in Germany, 9G 77549)
Usually seen in
April - June
Occasionally seen in
August - November
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Weight (g):
12 - 13.5
11 - 15
Great Reed Warbler
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually.
Large and bulky warbler with long tail, heavy, thrush-like bill and relatively strong facial markings. Supercilium broad and strong and continues behind eye. Lores dark. Primary projection same length as tertials. Flanks warm beige. Crest often raised. Flight heavy and jerky, and birds are also much more detectable by moving reeds when foraging about in vegetation than congeners.
Diet
It is insectivorous, but will also take invertebrates, like small tadpoles, and also soft fruit.
Longevity record
10 years 1 month (Hungary, A 94706)
Usually seen in
April - May, September - October
Occasionally seen in
March, June, August, November
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Weight (g):
16 - 20
29 - 36
Marsh Warbler
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually.
Plain and characterless plumage, but conspicuous song. Larger than Sedge Warbler, with larger wings, broader tail and tail-base. Very similar to Reed Warbler, and very hard to distinguish by plumage alone. The Marsh Warbler can be distinguished from the Reed Warbler only by biometric examination.
Rump of Marsh warbler shows less contrast to back, and flanks have a yellowish tinge. Bill slightly shorter and less pointed. Differs from Blyth's Reed Warbler by longer primary projection, yellowish lower mandible and paler legs. Juveniles especially hard to identify because of even fainter plumage field marks. Less common in reed beds than Reed Warblers, and more attached to bushes with lush undergrowth.
Diet
The Marsh Warbler is mostly insectivorous, also taking some spiders and small numbers of snails.
Longevity record
8 years 11 months (Sweden, AX 18398)
Usually seen in
August - October
Occasionally seen in
-
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Weight (g):
13 - 15
11 - 15
Eurasian Reed Warbler
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually.
Plain and characterless warbler with secretive behaviour. Larger than Sedge Warbler, with larger wings, broader tail and tail-base. Very similar to Marsh Warbler, and very hard to distinguish by plumage alone. Rump of Reed warbler warm rufous brown, warm buff flanks (yellowish tinge in Marsh Warbler), and slightly longer and more pointed bill. Differs from Blyth's Reed Warbler by longer primary projection, yellowish lower mandible and paler legs. Juveniles especially hard to identify, because of even fainter plumage field marks. Attached to reed beds.
Diet
The Eurasian Reed Warbler is mostly insectivorous, also taking some spiders and small numbers of snails.
Longevity record
16 years 11 months (Belgium, 5544265)
Usually seen in
August - October
Occasionally seen in
-
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Weight (g):
16 - 20
10 - 15
Sedge Warbler
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually.
Small and compact, brown warbler with strong supercilium and streaked back. Crown dark with faint streaking, contrasting with broad supercilium. Rump unstreaked and warmer brown than back and tail. Juveniles with faintly streaked chest. Long primary projection. Body shorter and more compact than Reed Warbler. Easiest. Often sings from exposed branch or reed, is inquisitive and not very shy.
Diet
They are mainly insectivorous, feeding on aphids, dragonflies and damselflies, grasshoppers, lacewings, moths, beetles and flies.
Longevity record
11 years 10 months (Denmark)
Usually seen in
April - May, September - October
Occasionally seen in
March, June, August, November
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Weight (g):
11.5 - 13
11 - 15
Moustached Warbler
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually but more individuals can be seen in the same area.
Small and restless species easily confused with Sedge Warbler, but showing both plumage and structural differences. Plumage differs from Sedge Warbler in; broad, white supercilium ending without narrowing, dark crown (usually appears black), pure white throat, grey ear-coverts, dark legs and warm-rufous flanks, rump and neck. Facial markings recalling firecrest. Very short primary projection and longer, more evenly rounded tail recalling Wren when raised. Bill thinner than Sedge Warbler. Skulky behaviour, forages low in vegetation, on ground or near water surface. Some variation in both size and plumage between western and eastern subspecies.
Diet
They are mainly insectivorous, feeding on aphids, dragonflies and damselflies, grasshoppers, lacewings, moths, beetles and flies.
Longevity record
11 years 3 months (Hungary, Y 13562)
Usually seen in
November - December
Occasionally seen in
October, January - March
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Length (cm):
Weight (g):
12 - 13.5
10 - 14
*Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.