Barratt's Warbler

Overview

Barratt's warbler, also known as the African scrub warbler, is a species of Old World warbler in the family Locustellidae. It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List and is endemic to southern Africa.

Identification

• Size: 15 cm in length with an average weight of 15 g; both males and females appear alike.
• Plumage: Chocolate-brown underparts with rufous washings on the crown, rump, and tail; throat is buffy white with dark brown streaks, transitioning to a white and grey-streaked breast.
• Features: Black bills and dark brown legs; eyes are hazel-brown or pale to dark brown.
• Song: Starts with high-pitched 'tik, tik, tik' notes followed by lower notes speeding up into a trill; alarm call is a quiet 'chrr-chrr'.

Habitat

Found in eastern South Africa, Lesotho, eastern Zimbabwe, and adjacent western Mozambique. It inhabits subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, specifically dense tangled scrub, bracken, brambles, and heath along streams, clearings, and forest edges.

Diet

The bird forages in or close to the ground, running in a mouse-like fashion. Its diet consists of insects, including crickets.

Did you know?

Juveniles of this species have yellow supercilia and underparts, which contrasts with the olive-brown upper parts that become more pronounced in adults.