Blyth's reed warbler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blyth's reed warbler |
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| At New Alipore in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acrocephalus (bird)
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| Species: |
dumetorum
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| Range of A. dumetorum Breeding Non-breeding | |
The Blyth's reed warbler (scientific name: Acrocephalus dumetorum) is a small songbird. It belongs to a group of birds called Old World warblers. These birds spend their summers breeding in parts of Europe and a large area of Asia. When winter arrives, they fly long distances to warmer places. They often spend winter in countries like Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka. In these places, they are one of the most common warblers you can find during the colder months. Sometimes, a few of them might even wander far off course to western Europe.
Why is it Called That?
This bird gets its name from a British scientist named Edward Blyth. He studied animals, including birds.
The first part of its scientific name, Acrocephalus, comes from two old Ancient Greek words. Akros means "highest," and kephale means "head." Some people think the scientists who named it might have thought akros meant "sharp-pointed."
The second part of its name, dumetorum, comes from the Latin word dumetum. This word means "thicket," which is a dense group of bushes or small trees. This name fits well because these birds often live in bushy areas.
What Does It Look Like?
The Blyth's reed warbler is a medium-sized songbird, about 12.5 to 14 centimeters (5 to 5.5 inches) long. Its back is a plain brown color, and its belly is a pale, light color.
It can be a bit tricky to tell this bird apart from other similar warblers. These include the reed warbler and the marsh warbler. The Blyth's reed warbler looks a lot like the reed warbler. However, it is usually a bit grayer on its back. Its forehead is also less flat, and its beak is not as strong or pointed. Both male and female Blyth's reed warblers look the same. Young birds, though, often have a more yellowish color on their undersides.
Where Does It Live and What Does It Eat?
Blyth's reed warblers like to live in scrubby areas or clearings, often near water. But unlike some other warblers, they don't usually live in marshy wetlands. They prefer to build their nests in bushes. A female bird will lay about 4 to 6 eggs in her nest.
When they are looking for food, these warblers mostly eat insects. But they will also snack on other small things, like berries.
During the breeding season, the best way to identify a Blyth's reed warbler is by its song. Their song is slow and repeats a lot. They are very good at copying the calls of other birds. Their song also includes special whistles that are typical for their group of warblers. They often sing from trees or bushes.
