Oriental Reed Warbler

Overview

The Oriental reed warbler (Acrocephalus orientalis) is a passerine bird of eastern Asia that belongs to the reed warbler genus Acrocephalus. It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• A large warbler measuring 18–20 cm in length with a wingspan of 23–26 cm.
• Brown plumage above with a paler rump and whitish tips to the tail feathers; underparts are whitish below, becoming browner on the flanks and undertail-coverts.
• Features narrow greyish streaks on the throat and breast, a dark eyestripe, and a whitish stripe above the eye.
• Possesses a fairly long, heavy bill that is brownish above and pink below with a bright orange gape, and grey feet.
• Song consists of a mixture of warbling phrases and guttural, croaking notes given from a prominent perch, accompanied by a loud, harsh chack call.

Habitat

The breeding range covers southern Siberia, Mongolia, northern, central and eastern China, Korea and Japan, while wintering occurs in north-east India and across South-east Asia to the Philippines and Indonesia. It primarily breeds in reedbeds but can also be found in marshes, paddy fields, grassland and scrub.

Diet

The bird forages for insects and other invertebrates within its habitat of reedbeds, marshes, paddy fields, grassland and scrub.

Did you know?

Major predators at the nest include the Siberian weasel, cats and snakes of the genus Elaphe.