- Sylvia crassirostris
Identification
The adult males have a plain grey back and whitish underparts. The bill is long and pointed and the legs black. The male has a dark grey head, black eye mask and white throat. The iris is white. Females and immatures have a paler head and buff underparts. The iris is dark. Their grey back has a brownish tinge. More varied song and pinker belly than Western Orphean Warbler.
Distribution
Breeds in the eastern Mediterranean (from Slovenia east) through the Balkan peninsula to Turkey, the Middle East, Turkmenistan, Iran, Pakistan to Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
Taxonomy
Three subspecies recognized:
- S. c. jerdoni in Pakistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan
- S. c. balchanica in Iran, Turkmenistan and Transcaspia
- S. c. crassirostris in the E Mediterranean, Turkey and the Middle East
This species was formerly lumped with Western Orphean Warbler to Orphean Warbler.
Habitat
Open deciduous woodland.
Behaviour
4-6 eggs are laid in a nest in a bush or tree. Like most warblers, Eastern Orphean Warbler is insectivorous. Migratory.