- Hippolais icterina
Identification
Photo taken: Netherlands
The Icterine Warbler (Hippolais icterina) is an Old World warbler in the tree warbler genus Hippolais . It breeds in mainland Europe except the southwest, where it is replaced by its western counterpart, Melodious Warbler. This is a medium-sized warbler, 12–13.5cm in length, similar to Melodious Warbler. The adult has a plain greenish-brown back with a paler wing panel, and yellowish underparts. The bill is orangeish, strong and pointed, and the legs blue-grey. The sexes are identical, as with most warblers, but young birds are paler on the belly.
Distribution
It is migratory, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa.
Habitat
This small passerine bird is a species found in open deciduous woodland with bushes and also parks and gardens, often near water. Four to six eggs are laid in a nest in a tree or a bush.
Behaviour
Like most warblers, Icterine is insectivorous, but will take other small food items including berries.
The song is a fast nasal babbling incorporating mimicry of other species. The call is described as "teck" or "tec, tec, tec".
It is colloquially referred to by birders as Icky.
Bird Song
<flashmp3>Hippolais icterina (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program