Reed Warbler
Acrocephalus scirpaceus
The Reed Warbler is a summer migrant to Britain, typically seen in wetland areas with dense vegetation, such as reed beds and marshes, from May to September. It is a relatively common breeding bird in southern and eastern England, but less frequent in other parts of the country.
Field Identification Guide
Use these features to identify Reed Warbler in the field.
The Reed Warbler can be identified by its streaked brown back, white throat, and distinctive white eye-ring, as well as its long, pointed bill and rounded tail. Its wings are broad and rounded, with a noticeable primary projection.
The Reed Warbler is slightly smaller than a House Sparrow, measuring around 12-14 cm in length.
The male Reed Warbler has a brown back with dark streaks, a pale brown chest, and a white belly, with a distinctive white eye-ring and a long, dark stripe through its eye.
The female Reed Warbler is similar to the male, with a slightly paler brown back and less distinct streaking on its chest.
The Reed Warbler's song is a repetitive, chattering melody, often described as a series of descending phrases, while its call is a sharp, metallic "tek" or "tchak" sound.
Reed Warblers are skulking birds that spend most of their time in dense vegetation, where they forage for insects and spiders, often flying short distances between perches with a rapid, fluttering wingbeat.
The Reed Warbler can be confused with the Sedge Warbler, but can be distinguished by its more rounded tail, longer primary projection, and less streaked chest, as well as its distinctive white eye-ring and darker stripe through its eye.
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