Grasshopper Warbler

Grasshopper Warbler
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Locustellidae
Genus:	Locustella
Species:	L. naevia
Binomial name
Locustella naevia (Boddaert, 1783)

The Grasshopper Warbler, Locustella naevia, is an Old World warbler in the grass warbler genus Locustella. It breeds across much of temperate Europe and Asia. It is migratory, wintering from northwest Africa to India.

This small passerine bird is a species found in short dense vegetation, often close to water. 4–7 eggs are laid in a nest on the ground or a tussock.

This is a medium-sized warbler, 12.5–13.5 cm long. The adult has a streaked brown back, whitish grey underparts, unstreaked except on the undertail. The sexes are identical, as with most warblers, but young birds are yellower below. Like most warblers, it is insectivorous.

This is a skulking species which is very difficult to see except sometimes when singing. It creeps through grass and low foliage.

The song, which gives this species its name, is a monotonous mechanical insect-like reeling, often given at dusk.

Dartmoor, England

References

• BirdLife International (2004). Locustella naevia. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 12 May 2006.

External links

• Ageing and sexing by Javier Blasco-Zumeta (PDF)
• Oiseaux Images, text, maps. French and English.
• Images at www.naturlichter.com