Aquatic warbler  (Acrocephalus paludicola)

IUCN Red List species status – Vulnerable
Loading loading

Facts – Aquatic warbler

French: Phragmite aquatique
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassAves
OrderPasseriformes
FamilySylviidae
GenusAcrocephalus (1)
SizeLength: 11.5-13 cm (2)

Status – Aquatic warbler

The aquatic warbler is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List (1). Listed on the Red List of Birds of Conservation Concern. Protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Annex I of the EC Birds Directive and Appendix II of the Berne Convention (3).

Description – Aquatic warbler

The aquatic warbler (Acrocephalus paludicola) is a small, slim bird with sandy coloured plumage with variable fine black streaking. Further identifying features are a sandy coloured crown and a rather spiky looking tail. The sexes are similar, and juveniles lack streaking on the breast and flanks (2). The eggs of the aquatic warbler are brown and densely spotted with a yellowish grey (4).

Range – Aquatic warbler

The aquatic warbler passes through the southern coast area of England during its annual migration between breeding sites in Eastern Europe and over-wintering grounds in West Africa. Although no definite figures exist, it was believed that the number of individuals arriving in Britain could represent as much as 25 percent of the world population of this globally threatened species, but recent discoveries of large populations in Eastern Europe make this unlikely (3). The main stronghold is in eastern Poland (2).

You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

Habitat – Aquatic warbler

The aquatic warbler breeds in open waterlogged areas of sedge, and seems to prefer vegetation of just a foot tall (2). During migration, preferred habitat comprises reed beds with sedge and other low-lying vegetation close to open water, normally along rivers, estuaries and coastal lagoons (3).

Biology – Aquatic warbler

The aquatic warbler is more secretive than its common relative, the sedge warbler, and often remains hidden on the ground whilst actively searching for food. Similar to the other warblers, the aquatic warbler feeds primarily on small insects (3).

During the breeding season, males attract mates with a song produced during a short song-flight. A single male will normally mate with more than one female; mating amongst birds is usually a very brief affair, but for the aquatic warbler however, it can last around 25 minutes, taking place both before and after egg-laying. Nests are constructed from reeds and tend to be placed over marshy ground or in a clump of sedge in shallow water (4).

Threats – Aquatic warbler

For a healthy population, this species requires vast areas of wetland habitat. This is due to the large home ranges that males of this species occupy during the breeding season in order to gain access to several females. Such habitat is increasingly under threat from modern agricultural practices and is often drained for commercial use. Other threats may occur on the wintering grounds. The human population increase in West Africa is putting pressure on the habitat needed by this species such as over-grazing, over-exploitation of water resources and desertification (3).

Conservation – Aquatic warbler

The aquatic warbler is a UK Biodiversity Action Plan species, and a number of known key passage sites have been designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) (5). Key sites are being managed by organisations such as the RSPB in order to maintain suitable habitat of sufficient size to support migration. A further priority is to more accurately assess the number of birds passing through Britain and their ecological requirements so that the correct habitat can be identified as being in need of protection (3).

View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.
There may be further information about this species available via the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.
The UK Biodiversity Action Plan for this species is available at UK BAP.

Find out more – Aquatic warbler

For more information on the aquatic warbler and other bird species:

Authentication

Information authenticated by the RSPB:
http://www.rspb.org.uk/

Glossary

  • Home range: the area occupied by an animal during routine activities, which is not actively defended.

References

  1. IUCN Red List (March, 2011)
    http://www.iucnredlist.org/
  2. Mullarney, K., Svensson, L., Zetterstrom, D., & Grant, P.J. (1999) Collins Bird Guide. HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, London.
  3. RSPB website (November 2001)
    http://www.rspb.org.uk
  4. Moore, A. A Field Guide to the Warblers of Britain and Europe, (1983), Oxford University Press.
  5. UK Biodiversity (November 2001)
    http://www.ukbap.org.uk/
More

Related species

More

Related species by status

No related species found
More

Related species by group

Loading...
More

Related species by geography

More

Related species by habitat

What's new?

Female Vences' chameleon on leaf

New profile for the Endangered Vences' chameleon. More

Latest from the ARKive blogsubscribe to posts

Loading...
ARKive.org is the place for films, photos and facts about endangered species. Subscribe to our blog today to keep up to date!

To see the latest posts from ARKive please visit http://blog.arkive.org or enable javascript.

Image credit

Aquatic warbler with nest material
Aquatic warbler with nest material

© U. u. J. Schimmelpfennig / Juniors Bildarchiv

Juniors Bildarchiv
Hauptstr. 58
Ruhpolding
83324
Germany
Tel: +49 (8663) 883 484
Fax: +49 (8663) 883 486
info@juniors-tierbild.de
http://www.juniors-tierbild.de

Link to this photo

ARKive species - Aquatic warbler (Acrocephalus paludicola) Embed this ARKive thumbnail link by copying and pasting the code below.

Terms of Use - The displayed thumbnail may be used as a link from your website to ARKive's online content for private, scientific, conservation or educational purposes only. Portlets may NOT be used within Apps.

MyARKive

MyARKive offers the scrapbook feature to signed-up members, allowing you to organize your favourite ARKive images and videos and share them with friends.