Aquatic Warbler Bird Facts (Acrocephalus paludicola)

The Aquatic Warbler is a small, slender bird with distinctive streaked plumage. Its upperparts are brown with bold black streaks, while the underparts are pale yellow. A prominent pale stripe above the eye contrasts with darker streaks on the crown.

Both sexes look similar, although males have slightly longer wings than females and are marginally heavier. Juveniles appear slightly duller. During the breeding season, adults may show more vibrant yellow tones on their underparts.

The Aquatic Warbler is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

The Aquatic Warbler is not typically found in Garden habitats.

The Aquatic Warbler can be found in Wetland habitats.

The Aquatic Warbler is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

The Aquatic Warbler is not typically found in Urban habitats.

The Aquatic Warbler is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

The Aquatic Warbler is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

The Aquatic Warbler is not typically found in Desert habitats.

The Aquatic Warbler is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

The Aquatic Warbler is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

The Aquatic Warbler is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

The Aquatic Warbler is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Aquatic Warblers inhabit low-lying wetlands, particularly sedge meadows and fen mires. They require specific habitat conditions with a mix of sedges, reeds, and shallow water.

Breeding populations are now largely confined to Eastern Europe, particularly Belarus, Ukraine, and Poland. During migration, they can be spotted in wetlands across Western Europe, including occasional sightings in the UK.

Cornwall and Devon are particularly popular spots, with Marazion Marsh, Cornwall and Radipole Lake, and Lodmoor in Dorset reporting visiting birds each year.

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Aquatic Warbler. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Germany

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Belarus Latvia Lithuania Poland Ukraine

Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season

Ghana Senegal

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Croatia Cyprus Denmark Egypt Estonia Finland Greece Ireland Israel Kazakhstan Macedonia Malta Norway Sweden Tunisia Turkey

This feature is in beta. We'd love your feedback to improve it!

Share your thoughts

Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Aquatic Warbler demonstrates remarkable agility, moving nimbly through dense vegetation and climbing vertically up reed stems. Their spectacular song flights, involving ascending high into the air and parachuting down, further showcase their impressive aerial manoeuvrability.

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

As a small songbird weighing only 10-13 grams, the Aquatic Warbler possesses limited strength relative to larger birds. However, their ability to navigate through dense wetland vegetation suggests a degree of strength appropriate for their size and lifestyle.

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Whilst specialised for specific wetland habitats, Aquatic Warblers show adaptability in their long-distance migrations, traversing up to 6,000 km annually. Their ability to forage on various small invertebrates and occasionally consume plant material also indicates a level of dietary flexibility.

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Aquatic Warblers are generally described as secretive and shy, easily disturbed by human presence. However, males display some aggressive tendencies during breeding season through territorial behaviour and competitive mating strategies, albeit not to an extreme degree.

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The Aquatic Warbler's long-distance migratory behaviour, covering up to 6,000 km annually, demonstrates considerable endurance. Their persistent singing during breeding season, especially in flight displays, further suggests a high level of stamina for their size.

Aquatic Warblers are insectivores, with caterpillars, dragonflies, spiders, larvae, grasshoppers, earwigs, and water snails being the main elements of their diet.

They are mainly ground foragers, finding insects in sedges and marsh close to the nest when breeding. In late summer, their diet may be supplemented with small berries.

Aquatic Warblers are secretive and often difficult to spot. They move nimbly through dense vegetation, climbing vertically up reed stems to forage.

During the breeding season, males perform spectacular song flights, ascending high into the air before parachuting down with spread wings and tail.

The Aquatic Warbler's song is a rapid, buzzing trill that rises and falls in pitch, often described as 'zizizizizizi-zeezeezeezee'.

During the breeding season, males sing persistently from perches and during flight displays, creating a distinctive soundscape in their wetland habitats.

Breeding occurs from May to July. Males establish territories and attract females with elaborate song flights and displays.

Nests are built low in dense vegetation, usually sedges or reeds. The cup-shaped nest is constructed of plant material and lined with fine grasses. Females typically lay 4-5 eggs, which are pale with brown speckles.

Incubation lasts about 13 days, solely by the female. Both parents feed the chicks, which fledge after 13-15 days. Pairs may attempt a second brood if conditions are favourable.

The Aquatic Warbler typically lives for 2 to 3 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

The Aquatic Warbler faces severe habitat loss due to wetlands drainage and changes in land use. International conservation efforts focus on protecting and restoring suitable breeding habitats, particularly in Eastern Europe, where most of the population now breeds.

Listen for their distinctive song, especially at dawn and dusk
Look for movement in dense reedbeds and sedges
Visit known breeding sites from May to July
Be patient and quiet; these birds are shy and easily disturbed

Main predators include marsh harriers, foxes, and other small carnivores that can access their low-lying nests in wetland habitats.

Aquatic Warblers can travel up to 6,000 km (around 3,700 miles) during their annual migration.
They are one of the few bird species that practice 'promiscuous' mating, where both males and females mate with multiple partners.
Despite their name, they spend most of their time in vegetation above water rather than in it.

Already have an account?

0/500 characters (minimum 20 required)

Visual Identification

Appearance

Size

Colours

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Distribution

Elevation Range

Climate zones

Distribution Map

Distribution by Region

Get Bird Updates in Your Inbox

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

Bird Attributes Explained

Attribute Categories:

Understanding the Ratings:

Agility

Strength

Adaptability

Aggressiveness

Endurance

Diet

Behaviour

Vocalisation

Nesting & Breeding

Lifespan

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Population Data

Rarity Index

Birdwatching Tips

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Family:

Predators

Did You Know?

Was this bird profile helpful?

Community Experience

Community Ratings

Latest Community Reviews

No reviews yet

Community Reviews

Create Your Free Account Welcome Back!

Rate Aquatic Warbler

Similar Birds

Sedge Warbler

References