The RSPB: Wood warbler

Conservation status: Red

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.

Overview

Latin name

Phylloscopus sibilatrix

Family

Warblers and allies (Sylviidae)

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 predominantly found in upland western oak woods.

When to see them

April to August.

What they eat

Mainly insects and spiders.

Population

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.