Western Orphean Warbler

Overview

The western Orphean warbler (Curruca hortensis) is an Old World warbler of the genus Curruca that breeds around the Mediterranean, western Europe, and northwestern Africa. It is a migratory species that winters in Sub-Saharan Africa and is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• 15–16 cm in length, making it one of the largest typical warblers, slightly larger than a blackcap.
• Adult males feature a plain grey back, whitish underparts, a dark grey head with a black eye mask, and a white throat.
• Long, pointed bill and black legs.
• Song consists of a series of warbling 'liroo-liroo' notes interspersed with scolding calls.

Habitat

This species is found in open deciduous woodland during the summer. Its range extends across the Mediterranean region, through western Europe, and into northwestern Africa, with rare vagrant occurrences in northern and north-western Europe.

Diet

Like most warblers, the western Orphean warbler is an insectivore. Specific details regarding foraging behaviour are not provided in the reference material.

Did you know?

The specific epithet hortensis is Latin for 'of a garden', deriving from the word hortus.