Eastern Olivaceous Warbler

The Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Iduna pallida, is a modestly adorned bird, cloaked in drab plumage tones. It is a medium-sized warbler, akin to a very pale Reed Warbler, with a strong and pointed bill, and grey legs. The adult boasts a plain pale brown back and whitish underparts, while the young exhibit a more buff hue on the belly.

Identification Tips

To identify this species, look for its characteristic downward tail flick. The sexes appear identical, as is common among warblers. It can be distinguished from the Western Olivaceous Warbler, which is larger with a browner tinge to the upperparts and a larger bill. The Eastern Olivaceous Warbler may sometimes present a greenish tinge to its upperparts.

Habitat

The Eastern Olivaceous Warbler inhabits dry open country, including areas of cultivation, where bushes or trees are present.

Distribution

This bird is migratory, breeding in southeastern Europe, the Middle East, and western Asia, and wintering in the northern Afrotropics. It is a rare vagrant to northern Europe.

Behaviour

As an insectivorous bird, the Eastern Olivaceous Warbler is often found foraging in its preferred habitat. It is known for its migratory nature, traveling long distances between breeding and wintering grounds.

Song & Calls

The song of the Eastern Olivaceous Warbler is a fast nasal babbling, a delightful auditory signature of this species.

Breeding

The Eastern Olivaceous Warbler lays two or three eggs in a nest situated low in a bush or undergrowth. The subspecies reiseri is considered locally common as a breeding species in southeast Morocco.

Similar Species

This warbler can be very difficult to separate from Sykes's Warbler, Iduna rama, especially since both may share a greenish tinge on the upperparts. However, the Eastern Olivaceous Warbler is generally paler and has a distinctive tail flicking behavior.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Eastern Olivaceous Warbler is primarily insectivorous, with insects forming the bulk of its diet.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List has classified the Eastern Olivaceous Warbler as Least Concern, indicating that currently, there are no immediate threats to its population numbers.