Sound clips and movies require Adobe Flash player. Latin nameSylvia communis FamilyWarblers and allies (Sylviidae) OverviewThe whitethroat is a medium-sized warbler, about the size of a great tit. It has quite a long tail which it flicks and cocks as it darts rapidly in and out of cover. The male has a grey head, a white throat and a brown back, and is buff underneath. It is a summer visitor and passage migrant, with birds breeding widely, although it avoids urban and mountainous areas. It winters in Africa, south of the Sahara. Where to see themFound over most of the UK. Look in any piece of suitable habitat in summer. When to see themFrom mid-April to early October What they eatInsects, and berries and fruit in autumn. Estimated numbers| Europe | UK breeding* | UK wintering* | UK passage* |
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| - | 945,000 territories | - | - |
* 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) |