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The melodious warbler is an Old World warbler in the tree warbler genus Hippolais. It breeds in southwest Europe and northwest Africa. It is migratory, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa. This small passerine bird is a species found in open woodland with bushes. Three to five eggs are laid in a nest in a tree or a bush. This is a common bird in many parts of its wide range and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as being of "least concern".
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
This is a medium-sized warbler, 12 to 13 cm (4.7 to 5.1 in) in length, and similar to its eastern counterpart, the icterine warbler (Hippolais icterina). The adult has a plain brown back and wings, and yellowish underparts. Compared to the icterine warbler, the upper parts are rather browner and the under parts rather yellower. The bill is strong and pointed and the legs are brown. The sexes are identical, as with most warblers, but young birds are paler on the belly. The song is a pleasant babbling.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Melodious Warbler sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Norway, Niger, Denmark, Iceland, San Marino.
When to see it
Peak activity in May · a summer visitor species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Icterine WarblerHippolais icterinaA fairly big warbler with a large head, broad-based bill and long wings with a quite short square-ended tail.
Olive-tree WarblerHippolais olivetorumThe olive-tree warbler is a relatively large warbler species with a long, thick bill which has on obvious orange -yellow lower mandible.
Side by side: Icterine Warbler vs Melodious Warbler
Learn the Melodious Warbler for real
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