Wood Warbler
Least ConcernPhylloscopus sibilatrix
Visual Identification
Wood Warbler
Appearance
The Wood Warbler is a small, slender bird with distinctive colouration. Its upperparts are a bright yellowish-green, contrasting sharply with pure white underparts. A prominent yellow supercilium (eyebrow stripe) and dark eye stripe enhance its facial features.
Both sexes look similar, with juveniles appearing slightly duller. During the breeding season, adults may show more vibrant plumage, with males occasionally displaying a slightly brighter yellow throat.
Size
Length
11cm to 12.5cm
Wingspan
20cm to 24cm
Weight
8g to 15g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Green Yellow
Secondary Colour
White Grey
Beak Colour
Brown
Leg Colour
Brown
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Wood Warblers breed across much of Europe, from the UK and Scandinavia to western Russia. They prefer mature deciduous woodlands, particularly those dominated by beech and oak trees. In the UK, they are most common in western and northern areas.
These birds are long-distance migrants, wintering in tropical and subtropical forests of West and Central Africa. During migration, they may be spotted in a variety of wooded habitats across Europe and North Africa.
The highest concentrations of Wood Warblers in Britain are found in the oak woodlands of western Wales. Each spring, the Scottish borders and parts of northern England also welcome visiting breeding wood warblers. In Ireland, a small but well-established breeding ground can be found in County Wicklow on the east coast.
Elevation Range
Up to 1,500 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subtropical
Distribution Map
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Diet
Wood Warblers primarily feed on insects and their larvae, including caterpillars, spiders, earwigs, flies, and beetles. Flying insects, including mayflies, sawflies, damselflies and lacewings, are frequently caught by the sallying technique of pursuing prey and catching them mid-flight.
They forage mainly in the canopy, often hovering to pluck insects from leaves. During migration, they may supplement their diet with small berries. Fruits include buckthorn, plum, elder, bramble and bilberry.
Behaviour
Wood Warblers are known for their active foraging behaviour, constantly moving through the canopy in search of insects. They often hover while feeding, a characteristic that distinguishes them from other warblers.
During courtship, males perform a distinctive 'butterfly display', fluttering their wings while singing.
Vocalisation
The Wood Warbler's song is highly distinctive and often described as 'spinning coin-like'. It begins with a series of clear, descending 'sip-sip-sip' notes, increasing in speed and ending in a shivering trill 'si-si-si-si-si-si'. Their call is a soft, plaintive 'piu'.
Contact calls heard in aggression or nest defence include a harsh ‘pip’ or ‘sip’ sound.
Nesting & Breeding
Wood Warblers typically form monogamous pairs each breeding season, which begins in late April to early May. Males establish territories and attract females with their distinctive song and 'butterfly display'.
The nest is built by the female on or near the ground, often on a slope in woodland, concealed in ground-level vegetation or against a grassy tussock or fallen tree. It's a domed structure made of grass, leaves, and moss, lined with finer grasses and hair. Females lay 5-7 white eggs with dark speckles.
Incubation lasts about 13 days, primarily by the female. Both parents feed the chicks, which fledge after 12-13 days. They usually raise one brood per season.
Lifespan
The Wood Warbler typically lives for 2 to 4 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 10.2 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While currently listed as Least Concern globally, Wood Warbler populations have declined in parts of Europe, including the UK. Habitat loss in both breeding and wintering grounds poses a significant threat.
Conservation efforts focus on protecting mature deciduous woodlands and studying their migration patterns.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Wood Warblers in deciduous woodlands, particularly those with beech and oak trees.
- Listen for their distinctive song, which starts with a series of repeated notes and ends in a trill.
- Observe their characteristic hovering behaviour while foraging.
- In the UK, watch for them in spring and summer, particularly in ancient woodlands.
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Green Warbler
Family:
PhylloscopidaePredators
Wood Warblers face predation from various birds of prey, including Sparrowhawks and Hobbies. Ground-nesting makes them vulnerable to mammals such as foxes, stoats, and weasels.
Did You Know?
- Wood Warblers can catch insects mid-flight, demonstrating remarkable agility.
- They are one of the few warbler species that do not typically have a second brood.
- Despite their name, Wood Warblers are more closely related to leaf warblers than to New World warblers.
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References
- 2 3
website: BirdLife International. 2016. Phylloscopus sibilatrix. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22715260A87668662.
View source - 4
report, 2015: EBCC
- 1
website, 2010: Fransson et al., EURING list of longevity records for European birds
View source