Basra Reed Warbler

Acrocephalus griseldis

Reed Warblers and Allies · Passeriformes · Legendary

The Basra Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus griseldis) is a legendary reed warbler found in 14 countries, weighing about 17 g. The Basra reed warbler is a "warbler" of the genus Acrocephalus.

EndangeredLegendaryEats invertebrateswetlandcup nest17 g

About the Basra Reed Warbler

The Basra reed warbler is a "warbler" of the genus Acrocephalus. It is a near-endemic breeder in the Tigris–Euphrates river system in southwestern Iran, eastern and southern Iraq, and Kuwait, though it has also recently colonised wetlands in Israel. It breeds in extensive beds of papyrus and reeds. It is easily mistaken for the great reed warbler but is a bit smaller, has whiter underparts and has a narrower, longer and more pointed bill. It is migratory, wintering in East Africa. It is a very rare vagrant in Europe. The call is a gruff chaar, deeper than that of a common reed warbler.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where it lives

Recorded as a rare visitor in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Qatar, Türkiye.

When to see it

Best months: January, March, April, May, June, July, August, November, December, with peak activity in April. It is a variable species across most of its range.

Easily confused with

Quick questions

What does a Basra Reed Warbler look like?
The Basra reed warbler is a "warbler" of the genus Acrocephalus.
How big is a Basra Reed Warbler?
The Basra Reed Warbler is a small sized bird weighing about 17 g.
Where can you see a Basra Reed Warbler?
The Basra Reed Warbler occurs in 14 countries, including Kuwait, Kenya, Iran, Israel and Malawi.
What birds look similar to a Basra Reed Warbler?
The Basra Reed Warbler is most easily confused with the Seychelles Warbler, the Cape Verde Warbler and the Saipan Reed Warbler.
Is the Basra Reed Warbler endangered?
The Basra Reed Warbler is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

Learn the Basra Reed Warbler for real

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