Balearic Warbler

Curruca balearica

This tiny songbird, found exclusively in the Balearic Islands, is a master of Mediterranean scrubland survival.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Balearic Warbler is a small, slender bird with distinctive plumage. Males have a blue-grey head and upperparts, contrasting with a white throat and pinkish-brown underparts. Their tails are long and often held cocked.

Females are more subdued in colouration, lacking the blue-grey tones and appearing overall browner. Both sexes have a thin black bill, pink legs, and a prominent red eye ring, which becomes more vibrant during the breeding season.

Size

Length

11cm to 12cm

Wingspan

15cm to 17cm

Weight

8g to 12g

Colours

Male Female

Primary Colour

Grey Brown

Secondary Colour

White

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Pink

Primary Colour (Female)

Brown

Secondary Colour (Female)

Grey White

Beak Colour (Female)

Black

Leg Colour (Female)

Pink

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Balearic Warbler can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Balearic Warbler is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Balearic Warbler is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Balearic Warbler can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Balearic Warbler is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Balearic Warbler is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Balearic Warbler is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Balearic Warbler is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Balearic Warbler is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Balearic Warbler is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Balearic Warbler is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Balearic Warbler is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

The Balearic Warbler is endemic to the Balearic Islands, specifically Mallorca, Menorca, and Cabrera. It inhabits Mediterranean scrubland, known as garigue or maquis, characterised by low, dense vegetation.

These birds prefer coastal areas and hillsides with abundant shrubs like rosemary, cistus, and juniper. They are non-migratory and maintain their presence in the Balearic archipelago year-round.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 1,200 meters

Climate zones

Mediterranean

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Balearic 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