Great Reed Warbler
The Great Reed Warbler is a species of warbler in the genus Acrocephalus. It is a thrush-sized warbler and one of the largest species of Old World warbler, measuring 6.3 to 8.3 inches in length with a 9.8 to 11.8 inches wingspan.
The adult Great Reed Warbler has unstreaked brown upperparts and dull buffish-white chin and underparts. The forehead is flattened and the bill is strong and pointed. It looks very much like a giant Reed Warbler but with a stronger supercilium. The sexes are identical but young birds are a richer buff colour below.
The Great Reed Warbler breeds in Europe and westernmost temperate Asia. It does not breed in the UK but is a regular visitor. In recent decades, its population has increased around the eastern Baltic Sea whilst it has become rarer at the western end of its range. It is a migratory bird and winters in tropical Africa. The Great Reed Warbler undergoes marked long-term population fluctuations and it is able to expand its range quickly when new habitat becomes available.
The Great Reed Warbler can be found in large reed beds often with some bushes. On its breeding grounds it is territorial but in its winter range it is frequently found in large groups and may occupy a reed bed to the exclusion of other birds.
During the breeding season, the male Great Reed Warbler performs a loud and elaborate song to attract a female. The song's main phrase is a chattering and creaking sound, to which the whistles and vocal mimicry typical of the Marsh Warbler is added. Lasting from just 20 seconds up to 20 minutes without a pause, this song can be heard up to 500 yards away. Having attracted a mate, the male will only sing to defend his territory against rival intruders. This song is much shorter and noticeably different to the song used in courtship and therefore the type of song produced is a good indicator of whether the male is paired or not. However, some males may move away from their territories and use the elaborate courtship song to search for multiple females. Although generally monogamous, this means that some males may pair with 2 to 3 females at one time.
The female Great Reed Warbler lays 3 to 6 eggs in a nest which is suspended from reed stems above the water. The female weaves damp material around the reed stems which, when dry, keeps the nest stable. Incubation is carried out by the female alone and lasts for 14 to 15 days. The chicks become independent and leave the nest 12 to 14 days after fledging.
Like most warblers, the Great Reed Warbler is insectivorous and it will eat insect larvae, moths, dragonflies, damselflies, beetles, spiders, etc. It will also take other prey including small fish, frogs and tadpoles.
Date: 19th May 2017
Location: south of Hortobágy towards Szásztelek, Hortobágy National Park, Hajdú-Bihar county, Hungary
The adult Great Reed Warbler has unstreaked brown upperparts and dull buffish-white chin and underparts. The forehead is flattened and the bill is strong and pointed. It looks very much like a giant Reed Warbler but with a stronger supercilium. The sexes are identical but young birds are a richer buff colour below.
The Great Reed Warbler breeds in Europe and westernmost temperate Asia. It does not breed in the UK but is a regular visitor. In recent decades, its population has increased around the eastern Baltic Sea whilst it has become rarer at the western end of its range. It is a migratory bird and winters in tropical Africa. The Great Reed Warbler undergoes marked long-term population fluctuations and it is able to expand its range quickly when new habitat becomes available.
The Great Reed Warbler can be found in large reed beds often with some bushes. On its breeding grounds it is territorial but in its winter range it is frequently found in large groups and may occupy a reed bed to the exclusion of other birds.
During the breeding season, the male Great Reed Warbler performs a loud and elaborate song to attract a female. The song's main phrase is a chattering and creaking sound, to which the whistles and vocal mimicry typical of the Marsh Warbler is added. Lasting from just 20 seconds up to 20 minutes without a pause, this song can be heard up to 500 yards away. Having attracted a mate, the male will only sing to defend his territory against rival intruders. This song is much shorter and noticeably different to the song used in courtship and therefore the type of song produced is a good indicator of whether the male is paired or not. However, some males may move away from their territories and use the elaborate courtship song to search for multiple females. Although generally monogamous, this means that some males may pair with 2 to 3 females at one time.
The female Great Reed Warbler lays 3 to 6 eggs in a nest which is suspended from reed stems above the water. The female weaves damp material around the reed stems which, when dry, keeps the nest stable. Incubation is carried out by the female alone and lasts for 14 to 15 days. The chicks become independent and leave the nest 12 to 14 days after fledging.
Like most warblers, the Great Reed Warbler is insectivorous and it will eat insect larvae, moths, dragonflies, damselflies, beetles, spiders, etc. It will also take other prey including small fish, frogs and tadpoles.
Date: 19th May 2017
Location: south of Hortobágy towards Szásztelek, Hortobágy National Park, Hajdú-Bihar county, Hungary
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Also in: Hungary
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