Bird Guide

Common Whitethroat vs Dartford Warbler

Common Whitethroat (Curruca communis)

Common Whitethroat

Curruca communis

15 gShrubland

This is one of several Curruca species that has distinct male and female plumages. Both sexes are mainly brown above and buff below, with chestnut fringes to the secondary remiges. The adult male has a grey head and a white throat. The female lacks the grey head, and the throat is duller. The whitethroat's song is fast and scratchy, with a scolding tone. The hoarse, slightly nasal, call sounds like wed-wed or woid-woid. The warning cry is long-pulled, rough tschehr which resembles that of the Dartford warbler.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Common Whitethroat
Recorded by Philippe_Grange · Song · Arrondissement de Fontenay-le-Comte (near Saint-Jean-d'Hermine), Vendée, Pays de la Loire, France · CC0
Photo: Alexis Lours · CC BY 4.0
Dartford Warbler (Curruca undata)

Dartford Warbler

Curruca undata

Tiny1 gShrubland

The Dartford warbler is a small, 13 cm (5.1 in), passerine bird, distinguished by its long tail compared with that of other warblers. Its plumage comprises unobtrusive and muted tones, which blend in with the dry dead plants, old wood or sunny greyish wood found in its preferred habitats. Like many typical warblers, the Dartford warbler has distinct male and female plumages. The male has a grey back and head, reddish underparts, and a red eye. The reddish throat is spotted with white. The sides are a dull greyish tone, being more clear about the abdomen.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Dartford Warbler
Recorded by Sonothèque ADVL · Alarm call · Cabane Vauban (near Carolles), Manche, Normandie, France · CC0
Photo: gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K · CC BY 2.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Common Whitethroat and Dartford Warbler.