Sedge Warbler
Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
The Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) is a common reed warbler found in 113 countries, weighing about 12 g. The sedge warbler is an Old World warbler in the genus Acrocephalus.
About the Sedge Warbler
The sedge warbler is an Old World warbler in the genus Acrocephalus. It is a medium-sized warbler with a brown, streaked back and wings and a distinct pale supercilium. Sedge warblers are migratory, crossing the Sahara to get from their European and Asian breeding grounds to spend winter in Africa. The male's song is composed of random chattering phrases and can include mimicry of other species. The sedge warbler is mostly insectivorous.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
This is a medium-sized warbler, 11.5–13 cm (4.5–5.1 in) long and weighing around 12 g (0.42 oz). It has a streaked brown back and wings, and pale underparts. The rump is warm brown and unstreaked, contrasting with the duller wings. The forehead is flattened, the crown is streaked with black, and the bill is strong and pointed. There is a prominent whitish supercilium. The legs are greyish. The plumage of the sexes is identical, although they can be told apart when caught for ringing by the presence of a brood patch or cloacal protuberance. Juvenile birds have dark spots on the breast.
What the Sedge Warbler sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in India, São Tomé & Príncipe, United States, Burundi, Djibouti, Andorra.
When to see it
Best months: April, May, June, July, August, September, with peak activity in August. It is a summer visitor species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Sedge Warbler?
- This is a medium-sized warbler, 11.5–13 cm (4.5–5.1 in) long and weighing around 12 g (0.42 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Sedge Warbler?
- The Sedge Warbler is a tiny sized bird weighing about 12 g.
- Where can you see a Sedge Warbler?
- The Sedge Warbler occurs in 113 countries, including Finland, Sweden, the United Kingdom, France and Norway.
- What does a Sedge Warbler sound like?
- You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Sedge Warbler on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Sedge Warbler?
- The Sedge Warbler is most easily confused with the Common Reed Warbler, the Marsh Warbler and the Blyth's Reed Warbler.
- Is the Sedge Warbler endangered?
- The Sedge Warbler is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Sedge 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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