Knysna Warbler

Bradypterus sylvaticus

Grasshopper Warblers, Grassbirds, and Allies · Passeriformes · Rare

The Knysna Warbler (Bradypterus sylvaticus) is a rare grasshopper warblers, grassbirds, and alli found only in South Africa, weighing about 17 g. The Knysna warbler or Knysna scrub warbler is a very shy and cryptic warbler, endemic to the coastal regions of South Africa.

Near ThreatenedRareEndemicEats invertebratesforestcup nest17 g

About the Knysna Warbler

The Knysna warbler or Knysna scrub warbler is a very shy and cryptic warbler, endemic to the coastal regions of South Africa. Its population is small and probably declining, due to natural and artificial fragmentation of its habitat, and limited dispersal and reproductive ability.

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

How to identify it

Brown with an olivaceous tinge on the upperpart plumage, including the wings and tail. Below it is paler olivaceous brown, and whitish on the centre of the belly. The chin and throat are olivaceous brown, but mottled whitish and finely streaked. The tail is relatively short and square. The eye, bill, legs and feet are brown, though the lower mandible is paler and horn-coloured. It is replaced northwards by the similar Barratt's warbler, which has a somewhat longer tail, mottled throat, and distinguishable call and song.

Where it lives

When to see it

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

Easily confused with

Quick questions

How do you identify a Knysna Warbler?
Brown with an olivaceous tinge on the upperpart plumage, including the wings and tail. Full identification notes are on this page.
How big is a Knysna Warbler?
The Knysna Warbler is a small sized bird weighing about 17 g.
Where can you see a Knysna Warbler?
The Knysna Warbler is endemic to South Africa, which is the only country where it occurs.
What birds look similar to a Knysna Warbler?
The Knysna Warbler is most easily confused with the Cinnamon Bracken Warbler, the Barratt's Warbler and the Evergreen Forest Warbler.
Is the Knysna Warbler endangered?
The Knysna Warbler is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.

Learn the Knysna Warbler for real

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