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  • Whitethroat

Whitethroat

Whitethroat (male)
Whitethroat (male)
Whitethroat (female)
Whitethroat (female)
  • Scientific name: Sylvia communis
  • Bird family: Warblers
  • UK conservation status: Green
  • Protected by The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

Audio

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Bas van de Meulengraaf, Xeno-canto

Key information

The 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.

What they eat:

Insects, and berries and fruit in autumn.

Measurements:

Length:
14cm
Wingspan:
18.5-23cm
Weight:
12-18g

Population:

UK breeding:
1,100,000 territories

Identifying features:

This bird species has different identifying features depending on sex/age/season.

Whitethroat (male)

Male whitethroat
Feather colour: Blue Brown Cream/buff Grey Orange Pink/purple White
Leg colour: Pink
Beak: Black Short Thin
Natural habitats: Woodland Farmland Grassland Heathland Urban and suburban

Whitethroat (female)

Female whitethroat
Feather colour: Blue Brown Cream/buff Grey Orange Pink/purple White
Leg colour: Pink
Beak: Black Short Thin
Natural habitats: Woodland Farmland Grassland Heathland Urban and suburban

Similar birds:

  • Lesser Whitethroat
    Lesser whitethroat

Where and when to see them

Whitethroats are found over most of the UK. Look in any piece of suitable habitat in summer.

* This map is intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.
  • Resident
  • Passage
  • Summer
  • Winter
Whitethroat distribution map

You can see whitethroats from mid-April to early October.

  • jan
  • feb
  • mar
  • apr
  • may
  • jun
  • jul
  • aug
  • sep
  • oct
  • nov
  • dec

RSPB reserves

  • RSPB Sandwell Valley
  • RSPB Canvey Wick
  • RSPB Tollie Red Kites

Video

Video

A close up look at a whitethroat in a tree.

A close up look at a whitethroat in a tree.

Play video
Whitethroat video screenshot

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