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Latin name

Sylvia borin

Family

Warblers and allies (Sylviidae)

Overview

A very plain warbler with no distinguishing features (a feature in itself!). It spends a lot of its time in the cover of trees and bushes and can be more difficult to see than its relative, the blackcap. Despite its name it is not really a garden bird, except in mature gardens next to woods. Its song is similar to that of a blackcap, but has longer mellow phrases.

Where to see them

Deciduous and mixed woodland and woodland edges, with glades, rides and other open areas. Especially likes coppiced woodland. Sometimes in farmland hedgerows. It is commonest in England, Wales and S Scotland.

When to see them

It starts to arrive in late April and May and leaves in mid-July. Migrants can be seen through August and September when Continental birds can be seen along the east and south coasts.

What they eat

Insects and berries

Estimated numbers

* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.

Distribution

In the UK

Most of the UK, scarce in N Scotland and N Ireland

Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.

Find out more

• Videos

Audio is from commercial recordings Bird Songs and Calls of Britain and Europe on 4 CDs or Bird Sounds of Europe & North-west Africa, copyright WildSounds & CEBA (www.wildsounds.com, (UK) +44 (0) 1263 741100)

1 illustration

Garden warbler

Similar birds

Blackcap

Chiffchaff

Reed warbler