What is the Willow Warbler?
A willow warbler recorded at Kenjar grasslands near Mangaluru recently is believed to be Karnataka’s first sighting and species’ only fifth confirmed record in India.
About Willow Warbler:
- It is a very widespread insectivorous songbird.
- Scientific Name: Phylloscopus trochilus
- Habitat and Distribution:
- Willow warblers breed throughout Europe and the Palearctic, from Ireland east to the Anadyr River basin in eastern Siberia.
- They are strongly migratory, and almost all of the population winters in sub-Saharan Africa.
- They inhabit open woodlands with trees and ground cover for nesting, including most importantly birch, alder, and willow habitats.
- They also frequent gardens, orchards, hedges, and pastures.
- Features:
- It measures around 11cm in length, with a wingspan of 19cm.
- It is greenish brown above and off-white to yellowish below; the wings are plain greenish-brown with no wingbars.
- Juveniles are yellower below than adults.
- It can be distinguished by their paler pinkish-yellow legs, longer, paler bill, more elegant shape, and longer primary projection (wingtip).
- Conservation Status:
- IUCN Red List: Least Concern