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Cetti's Warbler

Cettia cetti

Least Concern
This lively songster fills wetlands with its explosive call, often heard but rarely seen due to its secretive nature.
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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Cetti's Warbler is a small, compact bird with a rounded head and short, broad wings. Its plumage is predominantly warm brown above and paler buff-grey below, with a distinctive long, rounded tail often held cocked.

Both sexes look alike, and the only methods of distinguishing between the sexes are by observing their behaviour and listening to their song. The bill is dark grey, with pale pink visible on the base of the lower mandible. Legs are a pinkish brown.

Juveniles resemble adults but may appear slightly more rufous. The bird lacks striking or distinctive markings, contributing to its secretive nature.

Size

Length

13cm to 14cm

Wingspan

15cm to 18cm

Weight

13g to 17g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown

Secondary Colour

Buff Grey

Beak Colour

Brown

Leg Colour

Brown

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Cetti's Warbler can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Cetti's Warbler is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Cetti's Warbler can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Cetti's Warbler is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Cetti's Warbler is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Cetti's Warbler is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Cetti's Warbler is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Cetti's Warbler is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Cetti's Warbler is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Cetti's Warbler is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Cetti's Warbler is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Cetti's Warbler is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Cetti's Warblers inhabit dense, damp vegetation near water bodies, including reedbeds, willow scrub, and overgrown ditches. They are found across southern and central Europe and parts of North Africa and extend eastward into Central Asia.

In the UK, they have expanded their range northward since the 1970s, benefiting from milder winters. They are now established breeders in southern and eastern England, with some birds pushing further north and west.

UK spots where sightings have been regularly reported include Radipole Lake and Lodmoor in Dorset, Exminster Marshes in Devon, Marazion Marsh in Cornwall, and Strumpshaw Fen in Norfolk. The species is rarely found inland, and reports north of The Wash and Morecambe Bay are unusual.

Elevation Range

Up to 1,450 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Mediterranean

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Cetti's 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
© 2024 - Birdfact
Resident
Breeding
Non-breeding
Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year
Algeria Azerbaijan Belgium Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus France Greece Iran Iraq Italy Jordan Kuwait Lebanon Macedonia Malta Morocco Netherlands Pakistan Portugal Romania Slovenia Spain Syria The United Kingdom Tunisia Turkey
Species that are present in the area during their breeding season
Afghanistan Albania Armenia Bosnia and Herzegovina China Georgia Germany Hungary Israel Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Montenegro Russia Serbia Switzerland Tajikistan Turkmenistan Uzbekistan
Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season
United Arab Emirates
Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range
Egypt India Ireland Luxembourg Poland Sweden

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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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.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85

Agility

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

The Cetti's Warbler displays remarkable agility, moving with quick, mouse-like movements through dense vegetation. Its ability to navigate complex habitats and make sudden, explosive vocalisations suggests high manoeuvrability and bodily control.

Strength 30

Strength

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

As a small passerine weighing only 13-17 grams, the Cetti's Warbler has limited physical strength. However, its ability to survive in various climates and build sturdy nests indicates a degree of robustness despite its size.

Adaptability 90

Adaptability

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

The Cetti's Warbler demonstrates exceptional adaptability. Its successful range expansion northward in response to climate change, ability to thrive in diverse wetland habitats, and capacity to survive temperatures as low as -15°C showcase its remarkable adaptive capabilities.

Aggressiveness 60

Aggressiveness

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

While not overtly aggressive, male Cetti's Warblers exhibit territorial behaviour during breeding season, delivering loud, distinctive songs to defend their space. Their polygynous mating system also suggests a degree of competitive behaviour.

Endurance 75

Endurance

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

Despite its small size, the Cetti's Warbler shows impressive endurance. Its ability to survive harsh winters, engage in partial migration, and maintain year-round vocalisation indicates substantial stamina. The bird's capacity to raise multiple broods in a season further supports its endurance rating.

Diet

Cetti's Warblers are primarily insectivorous, feeding on various small invertebrates. The most commonly consumed prey include damselflies, aphids, moths and their larvae, earthworms, beetles, flies, and molluscs.

They forage actively in dense vegetation, picking insects and spiders from leaves and branches. During autumn and winter, when insect availability is lower, they may supplement their diet with small berries and seeds.

Behaviour

Cetti's Warblers are notoriously skulking birds. They prefer to remain hidden in dense undergrowth. They move through vegetation with quick, mouse-like movements and rarely fly in open spaces.

Despite their secretive nature, males become conspicuous during the breeding season, perching briefly in the open to deliver their loud, distinctive song.

Vocalisation

The Cetti's Warbler's song is unmistakable - a sudden, explosive burst of notes often described as "cetti-cetti-cetti" or "plink-plink-plink-plink". This loud, abrupt call seems disproportionate to the bird's size, often startling unsuspecting listeners.

Both males and females sing year-round, although males are more vocal, with increased frequency during breeding season.

Nesting & Breeding

Breeding season for Cetti's Warblers typically begins in April. Males establish territories and attract females with their loud, distinctive song. They are often polygynous, with a male potentially mating with multiple females.

The nest is a deep cup made of grass, leaves, and plant fibres, usually well-hidden in dense vegetation near the ground. Females lay 3-5 reddish-brown eggs, which are incubated for about 16-17 days.

Both parents feed the nestlings, which fledge after 14-16 days. Cetti's Warblers often raise two broods per season, with the male continuing to sing and potentially attracting new mates while the first brood is being raised.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern [1]

While currently listed as Least Concern, Cetti's Warblers face threats from habitat loss and degradation, particularly the draining of wetlands.

Climate change is influencing their distribution, with populations expanding northward in Europe. Conservation efforts focus on protecting and managing suitable wetland habitats.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

11,570,000 - 18,230,000 mature individuals [2]

Global Population Trend

[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

  • Listen for the distinctive, explosive song, especially in the early morning or evening
  • Look for movement in dense vegetation near water bodies
  • Be patient and still; the bird may eventually show itself briefly
  • In the UK, focus on wetland reserves and reed beds

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Cetti's Bush Warbler

Family:

Cettiidae

Average Lifespan

2 years

Max Lifespan

9.3 years [4]

Predators

Cetti's Warblers are preyed upon by various small mammals such as weasels and stoats, as well as birds of prey including sparrowhawks and kestrels.

Did You Know?

  1. Cetti's Warblers are named after the 18th-century Italian zoologist Francesco Cetti.
  2. They are among the few European passerines with ten tail feathers instead of the usual 12.
  3. Despite their small size, they can survive temperatures as low as -15°C (5°F).
  4. Cetti’s is pronounced ‘chettys’ to rhyme with jetties

References

  1. 1 2

    website: BirdLife International. 2017. Cettia cetti (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T22714445A111073290.

    View source
  2. 3

    report, 2015: EBCC

  3. 4

    website, 2012: Robinson and Clark, The Online Ringing Report: Bird ringing in Britain & Ireland in 2011

    View source

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