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Dartford Warbler
(Sylvia undata)
 German name(s): "Weißbartgrasmücke"
Size: 13-14 cm; wing span ca. 16 cm
Weight: 9-12 g
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Similar
species |
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Physical description |
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 Click here for a physical description
Dartford Warblers are small insectivore birds. Their
plumage is
dimorphic, i.e.
males and
females
are different.
Males
have a grey head, down to the ear coverts, mantle, upperwing
coverts and back. On the
grey sides of the head the eyes are surrounded by red orbital
rings. The front, from the chin downwards, is dark vinous-red,
with light-grey markings on chin and undertail coverts. The flight
feathers are dark-grey with thin pale edges.
Females
show a brownish tinge on head and back and the front is
duller vinous-red. The orbital rings are also more subdued.
Both sexes have orange-brown to brown irises, a horn-coloured
bill with a dark tip and yellow-brown legs and feet.
Juveniles
have a lot less colour contrast in their
plumage, with a
more greyish-brown front and a more brownish-grey back than
adults.
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Taxonomy, classification |
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See Dartford
Warbler at Wikipedia  .
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Range, habitat, finding this species |
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Click here for information on habitat
and range
The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and
specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found,
based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to
ebird.org
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The global distribution of the Dartford Warbler is available
HERE
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Dartford Warblers are a sedentary species, with only some
local migration movements, of which there are three extant
races
Their overall distribution ranges from northern Africa
(Morocco to Lybia) in the South to southern England and
Wales in the North and from Iberia in the West to southern
Italy in the East.
Race "toni" is endemic to northern Africa.
In Europe there are two races of Dartford Warblers.
Nominate race
"undata"
is found in Iberia, southern France, the Balearic islands,
Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily and mostly near-coastal Italy.
Race "dartfordiensis" is present in northern France,
near-coastal Belgium and southern England.
Dartford Warblers have a preference for breeding in
coastal heath, often with gorse and heather, but also
in other low shrubs, usually on marginal soil.
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Sightings |
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Click here for sighting information
Race "undata"
J. Pires reports spotting a Dartford
Warbler, nominate race
"undata",
in Monte Clerigo, Algarve, Portugal, in September 2019. Another
was found at Vilarelhos, Alfandega da Fe, Tras-os-Montes, Norte,
Portugal, in January 2023.
All sighting and photographic information presented on this
page has kindly been contributed by J. Pires.
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Photos |
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Race "undata"
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ADULT |
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FEMALE |
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Near-lateral view of a female Dartford Warbler
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Monte Clerigo, Algarve, Portugal, September 2019]
Lateral view of a female Dartford Warbler
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Monte Clerigo, Algarve, Portugal, September 2019]
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Call(s)/Song |
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For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The
interpretation of their meaning is our own; are welcome.
More Dartford Warbler sound recordings are available at
xeno-canto.org
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These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our
contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species
please refer to a field guide.
Breeding
Nest
Eggs
Behaviour
Food
are welcome.