Common Whitethroat

Overview

The greater whitethroat, or common whitethroat (Curruca communis), is a common and widespread Old World warbler that breeds throughout Europe and much of temperate western Asia. This small, strongly migratory passerine winters in tropical Africa, Arabia, and Pakistan.

Identification

• Both sexes are mainly brown above and buff below, with chestnut fringes to the secondary remiges.
• The adult male has a grey head and a white throat, whereas the female lacks the grey head and has a duller throat.
• The song is fast and scratchy with a scolding tone.
• The hoarse, slightly nasal call sounds like 'wed-wed' or 'woid-woid'.

Habitat

This species inhabits open country and cultivation areas, specifically requiring bushes or low shrubs for nesting. It breeds across Europe and western Asia, with four recognised subspecies distributed from north Africa to central Asia.

Diet

Like most warblers, it is insectivorous but will also consume berries and other soft fruit.

Did you know?

Although the common whitethroat and the lesser whitethroat may appear closely related, molecular studies show they are members of different clades and are not sister species.