African desert warbler


The African desert warbler (Curruca deserti) is a typical warbler.

African desert warbler

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Sylviidae
Genus: Curruca
Species:
C. deserti
Binomial name
Curruca deserti
(Loche, 1858)
Synonyms

Stoparola deserti'

Taxonomy

Until recently it was considered conspecific with the Asian desert warbler (and called just "desert warbler"),[2] but is now given specific status.[3][4] The two are still each other's closest living relatives, and their relationships to other typical warblers are not clear; they may be fairly close to the whitethroat. But it seems that all these three taxa are fairly basal members of the genus.[5][6]

Distribution and habitat

The warbler breeds in the deserts of north-western Africa south of the Atlas Mountains from southern Morocco east to western Libya and south to Mali and Niger. It winters in the same area, and does not migrate other than short distances.

Description

It is a small bird, marginally the smallest in the genus, 11–12 cm long, and 7–10 g weight. The sexes are almost identical in colour, pale sandy yellow-brown above and whitish below; the bill and legs are yellowish, and the eye has a yellow iris; it differs from the Asian desert warbler in its more yellowish overall colour.

Behaviour

Like its relatives, it is insectivorous, but will also take small berries; unlike most warblers, it commonly feeds on the ground. The song is a distinctive jingle often given in an advertisement flight, with clear notes (differing from Asian desert warbler in having few harsh notes[4]). It breeds in desert and semi-desert environments, as long as some scattered bushes for nesting occur. The nest is built in low shrub, and 2–5 eggs are laid.[2][4]

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References
  1. BirdLife International 2017. Sylvia deserti (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T22734413A111152386. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T22734413A111152386.en. Downloaded on 02 October 2019.
  2. Del Hoyo, J., Elliot, A., & Christie, D. (editors). (2006). Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 11: Old World Flycatchers to Old World Warblers. Lynx Edicions. ISBN 84-96553-06-X.
  3. IOC World Bird List version 2.9: Old World Warblers Archived 2010-03-24 at the Wayback Machine
  4. Svensson, L., Mullarney, K. & Zetterström, D. (2009). Collins Bird Guide, second edition. HarperCollins, London ISBN 978-0-00-726726-2.
  5. Helbig, A. J. (2001). The characteristics of the genus: Phylogeny and biogeography of the genus Sylvia. Pages 24–28 in: Shirihai, H., Gargallo, G., Helbig, A. J., & Harris, A. Sylvia Warblers. Helm Identification Guides ISBN 0-7136-3984-9
  6. Jønsson, K. A., & Fjeldså, J. (2006). A phylogenetic supertree of oscine passerine birds (Aves: Passeri). Zool. Scripta 35 (2): 149–186. doi:10.1111/j.1463-6409.2006.00221.x (HTML abstract).
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