Bird Guide

Clamorous Reed Warbler vs Great Reed Warbler

Clamorous Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus stentoreus)

Clamorous Reed Warbler

Acrocephalus stentoreus

Small24 gWetland

Clamorous reed warbler is a large song thrush-sized warbler at 18–20 cm. The adult has an unstreaked brown back and whitish underparts. The forehead is flattened, and the bill is strong and pointed. The sexes are identical, as with most warblers. It is very like the great reed warbler, but that species has richer coloured underparts. There are a number of races differing in plumage shades. The migratory northern race has the richest brown upperparts, and the endemic Sri Lanka subspecies is the darkest form.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Premchand Reghuvaran · CC BY 4.0
Photo: white_cheeked_barbet · CC BY 4.0
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

Where you might meet both

Learn this pair in BeakBrain

Photo and call practice, free in any browser.

Play BeakBrain

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