Appearance:

Rather large and heavily built Sylvia with dark hood and pale iris (in adults). Lacks red orbital ring of Sardinian Warbler. Very similar to Western Orphean Warbler (S. hortensis), but usually distinguished from that geographically by different breeding and wintering range, and also by appearance in typical birds (in addition to song). The following field marks differs from S. hortensis; dark centres to under tail coverts and whiter underparts with very little buff tones (slightly buff flanks in some). Other more variable traits are; dark hood more distinctly bordered in neck, colder grey upperparts and longer, more curved bill. Vagrant immature birds outside of normal distribution may be impossible to tell from S. hortensis. Apart from size, it differs from Lesser Whitethroat by; stronger bill, lack of incomplete white eye-ring, darker upper tail and above mentioned under tail coverts.

Sound:

Contact call a short "check", sometimes in series. When agitated a nasal, rattling "trrrr-trrrr-trrrr". Both calls very similar to S. hortensis. Song distinct, but with same quality of fluting sounds as in S. hortensis, recalling that of Blue Rock Thrush in timbre. Phrases often long and much more varied and impressive, with frequent mimicry. May be mistaken for Nightingale, but incorporates more dry trills, is slower, harder and lacks the diagnostic series of plaintive notes (may mimic it!).

Song:

Distribution:

Xeno-canto: map

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC

CC-sound:Mehmetunlu, Licence,Link.

CC-photo:Paul Cools, Licence,Link.

CC-photo:Mattias Hofstede, Licence,Link.

CC-photo:Mick Sway, Licence,Link.

Appearance:

Rufous red face, throat and chest, framed in slate grey in adults of both sexes. Olive brown to grey upperparts and dull white underparts. Head rather large, and body rather stocky when plumage puffed, despite thin bill and slender legs. Juveniles lack the red front and are heavily spotted in buff on a dark brown body with barred chest. Adults pretty unmistakable when seen well. Flight usually low and darting, with quick changes of directions before disappearing in thick bushes. Posture usually erect with frequent flicking of tail and wings.

Sound:

Alarm call a thin, electric "tick", often in series with decelerating tempo. Song medium to very high pitched, with mostly clear tones with a liquid quality. Timbre reminiscent of Wren or Dunnock, but with a much more varied structure and tempo. Pitch ranges from very high to low, almost thrush-like, notes. No recognizable motifs. Often ends on a rising or falling pitch, giving it a "Chinese" accent.

Song:

Distribution:

Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC