Spectacled warbler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Spectacled warbler |
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|---|---|
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| Male on Gran Canaria | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Curruca
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| Species: |
conspicillata
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| Synonyms | |
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Sylvia conspicillata |
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The spectacled warbler (Curruca conspicillata) is a small, active bird. It belongs to a group of birds called typical warblers. Its name comes from the white ring around its eyes, which looks a bit like spectacles! The word conspicillata comes from Latin, meaning "spectacled."
Contents
Where Spectacled Warblers Live
These birds live in several parts of the world. They breed in northwest Africa and southwest Europe. You can find them from Spain and Portugal all the way to Italy. They also live on islands and coastal areas in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
Migration and Travel
Many spectacled warblers stay in Africa all year. However, other groups of these birds migrate for winter. They fly to different parts of north and west Africa and Egypt. Sometimes, a few lost birds are seen in northern and western Europe. These are called rare vagrants.
Island Homes
Spectacled warblers also live on some Atlantic islands. They are quite common in the Canary Islands. People there sometimes call them zarzalero y ratonero. They are not often seen on the island of El Hierro.
What Spectacled Warblers Look Like
Spectacled warblers are very small birds. They are brown on their backs and a light brown (buff) on their bellies. They have special chestnut-colored patches on their wings. Their throats are white.
Special Features
Adult male spectacled warblers have a grey head. They also have the white eye ring that gives them their name. This white ring makes them look like they are wearing tiny glasses!
Identifying Young Birds
Young spectacled warblers can be tricky to identify. They might look similar to common whitethroats or western subalpine warblers. It can be hard to tell them apart in nature.
Their Song
The song of the spectacled warbler is fast and high-pitched. It sounds like a quick, cheerful warble.
Life and Habits
These small passerine birds like dry, open areas. They prefer places with lots of bushes.
Reproduction
Female spectacled warblers lay 3 to 6 eggs. They build their nests carefully inside a bush.
What They Eat
Like many of their relatives, spectacled warblers are insectivorous. This means they mostly eat insects.
