Wood Warbler

The Wood Warbler, Phylloscopus sibilatrix, is a leaf warbler known for its vibrant plumage and melodious song. This small passerine measures between 11 and 12.5 cm in length, presenting a striking appearance with its green upperparts and white underparts, complemented by a lemon-yellow breast.

Identification Tips

To distinguish the Wood Warbler from its congeners, such as the Chiffchaff and the Willow Warbler, look for its yellow supercilium, throat, and upper breast. Note the pale edges on the tertials, the longer primary projection, and the shorter but broader tail, which are characteristic of this species.

Habitat

The Wood Warbler favors open yet shady mature woodlands, with a particular affinity for beech and sessile oak forests. These environments provide the sparse ground cover necessary for nesting.

Distribution

Breeding across northern and temperate Europe and into the southern Ural Mountains of western Asian Russia, the Wood Warbler is a true migrant, wintering in the tropical climes of Africa.

Behaviour

This warbler is known for its strong migratory patterns, with the entire population retreating to Africa during the winter months. It is a summer visitor in the United Kingdom from April to August, though its numbers have seen a decline in recent years.

Song & Calls

The Wood Warbler's vocal repertoire includes two distinct song types. The first is a high-pitched, fluid metallic trill that accelerates in tempo, while the second consists of 3 to 5 descending piping notes of a lower pitch. Its contact call is a soft, short piping note.

Breeding

Nesting typically occurs near the ground in low shrubbery, with the dome-shaped nest harboring six or seven eggs laid in May. A second brood may follow. Predation by mammals, particularly medium-sized carnivores, is a notable threat to nest survival.

Similar Species

The Wood Warbler can be confused with the Chiffchaff and the Willow Warbler, but careful observation of its distinctive markings and song will aid in proper identification.

Diet and Feeding

As an insectivorous bird, the Wood Warbler's diet consists primarily of insects, which it forages for in its woodland habitat.

Conservation Status

Currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, the Wood Warbler's occupancy rates are influenced by various factors related to forest structure. Conservation efforts are necessary to maintain the preferred forest structure for this species. Despite its resilience to habitat degradation, further loss of trees could have detrimental effects on its future population.