Dartford Warbler
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| Sylvia undata (Boddaert, 1783) |
The Dartford Warbler, Sylvia undata, is an Old World warbler which breeds in the warmer parts of south west Europe and northwest Africa. Its breeding range lies west of a line from southern England to the heel of Italy. It is a mainly resident breeder, but there is some limited migration.
This small, 13 cm, passerine bird breeds in heathlands often near coasts, with gorse bushes for nesting. The nest is built in low shrub, and 3-6 eggs are laid.
Most warblers have an almost identical appearance for both sexes, but several Sylvia species have distinct male and female plumages. The male of this a small warbler species has a grey back and head, reddish underparts, and a red eye. The reddish throat is spotted with white. The female is paler below, especially on the throat, and a browner grey below.
Like most warblers, the Dartford Warbler is insectivorous, but will also take berries. The song is a distinctive rattling warble.
Dartford Warblers were named for Dartford Heath in north west Kent, where they became extinct in the early 20th century. They almost died out in the UK in the severe winter of 1962-3 when the national population dropped to just 10 pairs. They recovered in some areas but numbers are once again on the decline. However this species can recover well because of repeated nesting and a high survival rate for the young.
[edit] References
- BirdLife International (2004). Sylvia undata. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 09 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
