Menetries's Warbler

The Menetries's warbler, named in honor of the French zoologist Édouard Ménétries, is a small, active passerine bird with a fairly long, often cocked tail that is blackish with white outer feathers. Males of the species boast a dark greyish upper body, a white submoustachial stripe, and a pink throat and breast. Their dark cap, which fades into the grey nape, distinguishes them from the Sardinian warbler, which has a jet-black cap. Females are sandy grey-brown above and buff-white below, with less distinct markings.

Identification Tips

Adult males can be identified by their greyish upper parts and whitish underparts, with a distinctive white submoustachial stripe and a pinkish hue on the throat and breast. The cap is dark, becoming paler towards the back. Females and first-winter males are more subdued in color, with the females being sandy grey-brown above and buff-white below. The species is recognized by its fairly heavy bill with a pinkish base and a pale bare ring around the eye.

Habitat

Menetries's warblers inhabit scrublands, thickets, open woodlands, cultivated areas, and gardens, preferring dry, continental climates. They are often found in steppe regions, on mountain slopes, and along rivers, frequently associating with tamarisk bushes.

Distribution

This migratory bird breeds in Southwest Asia, with its range extending from the Caspian Sea region through parts of the Middle East to northern Iran and Central Asia. In winter, it travels to southern Iran, the Arabian Peninsula, and Northeast Africa, from Sudan to Somalia.

Behaviour

Menetries's warblers are active foragers, starting at the top of a bush and working their way down as they search for insects and other invertebrates. They also consume fruit and seeds. Their tail is frequently wagged up and down or side to side, and they are known for their ability to adapt to various environments within their range.

Song & Calls

The species emits a harsh, buzzing call and a sparrow-like chattering. The male's song is a quiet chattering that combines musical and harsh notes, often performed in flight.

Breeding

The nest of the Menetries's warbler is cup-shaped, constructed in low vegetation, and made of twigs, stems, and grass leaves, lined with feathers and hair. They lay four or five glossy white eggs with brown spots, which are incubated for 11 to 13 days. Fledging occurs after 10 or 11 days, with both parents involved in rearing the young. Typically, two broods are raised in a breeding season.

Similar Species

Menetries's warbler can be confused with the Sardinian and eastern subalpine warblers. However, it can be distinguished by its plainer tertial feathers and the contrast between the pale back and dark tail.

Diet and Feeding

The diet consists of insects, other invertebrates, fruit, and seeds. They exhibit a methodical approach to foraging, moving from the top to the bottom of foliage.

Conservation status

The Menetries's warbler is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it is not at immediate risk of widespread decline.