Marsh Warbler

1 day ago

Spotted

A master mimic among warblers, this species is plain in appearance but boasts one of the most complex and varied songs in the bird world. It prefers tall herbaceous vegetation away from water.

Where to spot

Breeds across much of Central and Eastern Europe and parts of Western Asia, favoring tall herbaceous vegetation, nettle beds, and damp scrub, often away from open water. Winters in Southeast Africa.

How to spot

Visually, it's very similar to the Eurasian Reed Warbler – plain, unstreaked brown above and pale below, with a faint supercilium. Identification almost exclusively relies on its extraordinary song, a fast, fluid, musical outpouring of mimicry, and its preference for drier, taller vegetation than reedbeds.

When to spot

Primarily observed during the breeding season (May-July) when males are constantly singing. Migrants pass through during spring (April-May) and autumn (August-September).

Where to spot

Breeds across much of Central and Eastern Europe and parts of Western Asia, favoring tall herbaceous vegetation, nettle beds, and damp scrub, often away from open water. Winters in Southeast Africa.

How to spot

When to spot

Primarily observed during the breeding season (May-July) when males are constantly singing. Migrants pass through during spring (April-May) and autumn (August-September).

Credits: Door Аимаина хикари - Eigen werk, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=41485514

The Marsh Warbler is an unparalleled mimic, incorporating hundreds of phrases from other bird species (including non-European birds from its African wintering grounds) into its incredibly rich and varied song, which can go on for extended periods.

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