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Latin name

Acrocephalus schoenobaenus

Family

Warblers and allies (Sylviidae)

Overview

The sedge warbler is a small, quite plump, warbler with a striking broad creamy stripe above its eye, and greyish brown legs. It is brown above with blackish streaks and creamy white underneath. It is a summer visitor, and winters in Africa, south of the Sahara Desert. Its song is a noisy, rambling warble compared to the more rhythmic song of the reed warbler.

Where to see them

Found across the UK. A good place to try in summer is near a reedbed or a damp wetland, particularly near dawn and dusk when sedge warblers are most active. Look for singing birds perched on the outside of a bush.

When to see them

Mid-April to mid-October.

What they eat

Insects; berries in autumn

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

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

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

Sedge warbler

Similar birds

Aquatic warbler

Reed warbler