Bird Guide

Blyth's Reed Warbler vs Great Reed Warbler

Blyth's Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus dumetorum)

Blyth's Reed Warbler

Acrocephalus dumetorum

Tiny11 gWetland

Blyth's reed warbler is between 12 and 14 cm (4.7 and 5.5 in) in length and weighs between 8 and 16 g (0.28 and 0.56 oz). It is a slim warbler with relatively short wings and a long bill. The plumage is rather plain with few distinguishing features and has been described as lacking in "warmer" tones observed in related species. The upperparts are plain olive brown, with less olive on the short, rounded wings. There is a short whitish supercilium running between the base of the bill and the eye, with a dusky stripe through the eye. The underparts are plain and off-white in colour. Voice: Blyth's reed warbler has a variable song in which harsh sounds like ticks, chaks and churrs are mixed in with melodious whistles and mimicry.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Pascal Christe · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Peter von Bagh · CC BY 2.0
Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus)

Great Reed Warbler

Acrocephalus arundinaceus

Small30 gWetland

The thrush-sized warbler is one of the largest species in both its current the family Acrocephalidae, and its former family, the "Sylviidae". It measures 16–21 cm (6.3–8.3 in) in length, 25 to 30 cm (9.8 to 11.8 in) in wingspan and weighs 22 to 38 g (0.78 to 1.34 oz). The adult has unstreaked brown upperparts and dull buffish-white chin and underparts. The forehead is flattened, and the bill is strong and pointed. It looks very much like a giant common reed warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus), but with a stronger supercilium.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Sonothèque ADVL · CC0
Photo: Jordi Casanovas · CC BY 4.0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Blyth's Reed Warbler and Great Reed Warbler.