Aquatic warbler

Aquatic warbler
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Acrocephalidae
Genus: Acrocephalus
Species:
A. paludicola
Binomial name
Acrocephalus paludicola
(Vieillot, 1817)
Range of A. paludicola
  Breeding
  Passage
  Non-breeding
  Possibly Extant (passage)
  Probably extinct
Acrocephalus paludicola - MHNT

The aquatic warbler (Acrocephalus paludicola) is an Old World warbler in the genus Acrocephalus. It breeds in temperate eastern Europe and western Asia, with an estimated population of 11,000-15,000 pairs.[2] It is migratory, wintering in west Africa. After many years of uncertainty, the wintering grounds of much of the European population were finally discovered in Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary, Senegal, with between 5,000 and 10,000 birds present at this single site.[3] Its south-westerly migration route means that it is regular on passage as far west as Great Britain and Ireland.

This small passerine bird is a species found in wet sedge beds with vegetation shorter than 30 cm (12 in). Drainage has meant that this species has declined, and its stronghold is now the Polesie region of eastern Poland and south Belarus, where 70% of the world's population breeds. 3–5 eggs are laid in a nest in low vegetation. This species is highly promiscuous, with most males and females having offspring with multiple partners.[4]

This is a medium-sized warbler. The adult has a heavily streaked brown back and pale underparts with variable streaking. The forehead is flattened, and the bill is strong and pointed. There is a prominent whitish supercilium and crown stripe.

It can be confused with the juvenile sedge warbler, which may show a crown stripe, but the marking is stronger in this species, which appears paler and spiky-tailed in flight. The sexes are identical, as with most warblers, but young birds are unstreaked on the breast below. Like most warblers, it is insectivorous, but will take other small food items, including berries.

The song is a fast, chattering ja-ja-ja punctuated with typically acrocephaline whistles.

The genus name Acrocephalus is from Ancient Greek akros, "highest", and kephale, "head". It is possible that Naumann and Naumann thought akros meant "sharp-pointed". The specific paludicola is Latin, from paludis, "swamp", and colere, "to inhabit".[5]

Translocated aquatic warbler chicks in June 2018.
  1. ^ BirdLife International (2017). "Acrocephalus paludicola". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T22714696A110042215. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T22714696A110042215.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ Tanneberger, Franziska; Kubacka, Justyna (2018). The Aquatic Warbler Conservation Handbook. Groß Glienicke: Brandenburg State Office for Environment. p. 20. ISBN 978-3-00-059256-0.
  3. ^ Expedition solves Aquatic Warbler mystery, Birdlife International (2007). Retrieved 2012
  4. ^ Leisler, B. & Wink, Michael (2000): "Frequencies of multiple paternity in three Acrocephalus species (Aves: Sylviidae) with different mating systems (A. palustris, A. arundinaceus, A. paludicola)". Ethology, Ecology & Evolution 12: 237-249.
  5. ^ Jobling, James A (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London: Christopher Helm. pp. 30, 290. ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4.