Moustached Warbler
Acrocephalus melanopogon
The Moustached Warbler (Acrocephalus melanopogon) is a uncommon reed warbler found in 60 countries, weighing about 11 g. The moustached warbler is an Old World warbler in the genus Acrocephalus.
About the Moustached Warbler
The moustached warbler is an Old World warbler in the genus Acrocephalus. It breeds in southern Europe and southern temperate Asia with a few breeding in north-west Africa. It is partially migratory. South-west European birds are resident, south-east European birds winter in the Mediterranean breeding range, and the Asiatic race migrates to Arabia, India and Pakistan.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The moustached warbler is 12–13 cm (4.7–5.1 in) long, slightly smaller than the similar sedge warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus). The adult has a finely streaked brown back and white underparts. The forehead is flattened, there is a prominent whitish supercilium, grey ear coverts, and the bill is strong and pointed. The sexes are identical, as with most warblers, but young birds are more heavily streaked and have markings on the breast. The song is fast and similar to the sedge warbler and reed warbler, with some mimicry and typically acrocephaline whistles added.
What the Moustached Warbler sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Luxembourg, Algeria, Libya, Nepal, North Macedonia.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in March. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Moustached Warbler?
- The moustached warbler is 12–13 cm (4.7–5.1 in) long, slightly smaller than the similar sedge warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Moustached Warbler?
- The Moustached Warbler is a tiny sized bird weighing about 11 g.
- Where can you see a Moustached Warbler?
- The Moustached Warbler occurs in 60 countries, including France, Spain, Israel, Türkiye and India.
- What does a Moustached Warbler sound like?
- You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Moustached Warbler on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Moustached Warbler?
- The Moustached Warbler is most easily confused with the Paddyfield Warbler, the Black-browed Reed Warbler and the Oriental Reed Warbler.
- Is the Moustached Warbler endangered?
- The Moustached Warbler is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Moustached Warbler for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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