The RSPB: Wood warbler

Wood warbler

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Latin name

Phylloscopus sibilatrix

Family

Warblers and allies (Sylviidae)

Overview

The attractive but unobtrusive wood warbler is the largest Phylloscopus warbler in Europe. It has bright yellow upper parts, throat and upper chest and white under parts. The species is widespread and numerous in deciduous forest in Europe and reaches its highest densities in the UK in the western oak woods of Wales. They are on the Amber List due moderate declines over the past 25 years, especially in the south and east of the UK.

Where to see them

Wood warblers are found in deciduous woodland under closed canopies where there is little or no shrub layer. Much of the population in Europe is found in forested lowlands, though in the UK it is predominately found in upland western oak woods.

When to see them

April to August.

What they eat

Mainly insects and spiders.

Estimated numbers

Europe	UK breeding*	UK wintering*	UK passage*
-	17,200 males	-	-

* 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

Key

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)