Grasshopper Warbler
Locustella naevia
Visual Identification
Appearance
The Grasshopper Warbler is a small, secretive bird with streaked brown upperparts and buff underparts. Its tail is long and rounded, often held fanned. The bird has a distinctive pale supercilium (eyebrow stripe) and a fine, pointed bill.
As is usually the case for warblers, there is no difference in appearance between males and females. Juveniles appear slightly more yellowish. During the breeding season, adults may show a slightly more olive tinge to their plumage.
Size
Length
12cm to 13cm
Wingspan
15cm to 18cm
Weight
11g to 15g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Brown Buff
Secondary Colour
White Grey
Beak Colour
Brown
Leg Colour
Pink
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Grasshopper Warblers inhabit areas of dense, low vegetation across Europe and western Asia. They prefer damp areas like marshes, reedbeds, and overgrown fields with scattered bushes.
They are summer visitors in the UK, arriving in April and departing by October. They winter in sub-Saharan Africa, with some passing through southern Europe and North Africa during migration.
With a lot of patience, you may get lucky waiting it out in scrubland or marshland environments throughout England, Wales and southern Scotland by listening out for the distinctive grasshopper-like call.
Elevation Range
Up to 1,000 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subtropical
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Grasshopper 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
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Share your thoughtsBird 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.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
The Grasshopper Warbler demonstrates remarkable agility, adeptly navigating through dense vegetation with mouse-like movements. Its ability to perform short, fluttering display flights and swiftly manoeuvre through its habitat suggests high agility.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
As a small bird weighing only 11-15 grams, the Grasshopper Warbler's strength is limited. However, it possesses sufficient strength for its size to forage effectively and perform necessary breeding activities.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
This species shows good adaptability, inhabiting various low vegetation environments from marshes to overgrown fields. Its ability to thrive in different habitats across Europe and western Asia, as well as migrate long distances, indicates strong adaptive capabilities.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Grasshopper Warblers are not particularly aggressive birds. They are known for their secretive nature rather than confrontational behaviour. However, males do establish and defend territories during breeding season, showing some level of assertiveness.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
The Grasshopper Warbler's endurance is noteworthy. It undertakes long-distance migrations between Europe and sub-Saharan Africa, demonstrating considerable stamina. Additionally, its ability to sing continuously for up to 20 minutes without pause suggests good respiratory endurance.
Diet
Grasshopper Warblers primarily feed on insects and other small invertebrates. They forage on the ground, low in vegetation, picking prey from leaves and stems.
Their diet includes grasshoppers, beetles, flies, moths, dragonflies, and small spiders, supplemented with some berries in late summer.
Behaviour
Grasshopper Warblers are known for their skulking behaviour, often creeping through dense vegetation like a mouse. They are more often heard than seen, typically singing from concealed perches. During courtship, males perform short, fluttering display flights above their territories.
Vocalisation
The Grasshopper Warbler's song is its most distinctive feature - a continuous, high-pitched trill that sounds remarkably like a grasshopper or cricket. This monotonous 'reeling' can last for several minutes without pause, often delivered from a hidden perch in vegetation.
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding occurs from May to July. Males establish territories and attract females with their distinctive songs. Pairs are monogamous during the breeding season.
The nest is a well-concealed cup made of grass and leaves, typically placed low in dense vegetation or at the base of a bush. Females lay 4-6 eggs, which are white with fine reddish-brown speckles.
Incubation lasts about 12-14 days, primarily by the female. Both parents feed the chicks, which fledge after 10-12 days but remain dependent on adults for another two weeks.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While listed as Least Concern globally, Grasshopper Warbler populations have declined in parts of Europe due to habitat loss. Conservation efforts focus on maintaining suitable breeding habitats, including wet grasslands and young forestry plantations.
Birdwatching Tips
- Listen for the bird's distinctive, insect-like song, especially at dawn or dusk. They are frequently heard singing at night, particularly early in the breeding season.
- Search in areas of dense, low vegetation such as reed beds or scrubby grasslands
- Look for movement low in the vegetation rather than trying to spot the bird directly
- Be patient, as these birds are notoriously difficult to see
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Predators
Main predators include domestic cats, small mammals such as weasels and stoats, and birds of prey like Sparrowhawks and Kestrels.
Did You Know?
- The Grasshopper Warbler can sing continuously for up to 20 minutes without taking a breath.
- Its scientific name 'naevia' means 'spotted', referring to its streaked plumage.
- Despite its name, it's not closely related to other warblers but belongs to its own family, Locustellidae.
References
- 1 2
website: BirdLife International. 2017. Locustella naevia (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T22714657A118740792.
View source - 3
report, 2015: EBCC
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