Great Reed Warbler

Taxobox
name = Great Reed Warbler
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1


image_width = 250px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Passeriformes
familia = Sylviidae
genus = "Acrocephalus "
species = "A. arundinaceus"
binomial = "Acrocephalus arundinaceus"
binomial_authority = (Linnaeus, 1758)

The Great Reed Warbler, "Acrocephalus arundinaceus", is an Old World warbler in the genus "Acrocephalus". It breeds in Europe and westernmost temperate Asia. It is migratory, wintering in tropical Africa. It does not breed in Great Britain, but is a regular visitor.

This passerine bird is a species found in large reed beds, often with some bushes. 3-6 eggs are laid in a basket nest in reeds. Some pairs are monogamous, but others are not and unpaired males without territory usually father some young also (Leisler & Wink 2000).

This is a large Song Thrush-sized warbler, 16-20cm in length. The adult has an unstreaked brown back and buff underparts. The forehead is flattened, and the bill is strong and pointed. It is very like a giant Reed Warbler, but with a stronger supercilium. The sexes are identical, as with most warblers, but young birds are richer buff below. Like most warblers, it is insectivorous, but will take other small prey items.

The song is very loud and far carrying. It is a slow, chattering "jit-jit-jit" with typically acrocephaline whistles and mimicry added.

References

* Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern

* Leisler, B. & Wink, Michael (2000): Frequencies of multiple paternity in three "Acrocephalus" species (Aves: Sylviidae) with different mating systems ("A. palustris, A. arundinaceus, A. paludicola"). "Ethology, Ecology & Evolution" 12: 237-249. [http://www.uni-heidelberg.de/institute/fak14/ipmb/phazb/pubwink/2000/14.%202000.pdf PDF fulltext]

External links

* [http://www.ibercajalav.net/img/360_GreatReedWarblerAarundinaceus.pdf Ageing and sexing (PDF) by Javier Blasco-Zumeta]