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Moltoni's Warbler - BirdForum Opus

Immature
Photo © by picus
Pavia, Italy, October 2006
Curruca subalpina

Sylvia subalpina

Identification

12cm (4¾ in)
Adult male

  • Grey back and head
  • Brick-red underparts
  • White malar streaks

Female has mainly brown upperparts with a greyer head. Whitish below with a pink flush.

Distribution

Western Mediterranean islands, including Balearics, Corsica, Sardinia

Vagrants British Isles.

Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species.
Formerly considered conspecific with Eastern Subalpine Warbler and Western Subalpine Warbler.

Habitat

Breeds in a variety of habitats, from open woodland to bushes and sandy heaths.

Behaviour

Breeding

The nest is built in thick bushes. Three to five eggs are laid.

Diet

Mainly insects, but will eat berries on occasion.

Vocalisation

Call: similar to Lesser Whitethroat's tett
Song: Clear and slow chattering and bouncy phrases, reminiscent of Eurasian Linnet. Delivered in 'song flight' or from a bush.

References

  1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, S. M. Billerman, T. A. Fredericks, J. A. Gerbracht, D. Lepage, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2021. The eBird/Clements checklist of Birds of the World: v2021. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
  2. Birdforum thread discussing the status of Moltoni's Warbler
  3. Avibase
  4. Wikipedia
  5. Collins Field Guide 5th Edition
  6. Collins Bird Guide ISBN 0 00 219728 6
  7. Birdforum thread discussing subspecies identification

Recommended Citation

External Links

GSearch checked for 2020 platform.


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