Sedge Warbler Identification

The Sedge Warbler is about the size of a Blue Tit.

Its plumage is olive brown on the back and buff brown on the rump.

It has a crown streaked with black with a lighter center and a distinct pale eyebrow with darker cheeks and a pale throat.

Faint streaks can be seen on the back.

In flight, the rump is a warmer brown.

Males and females look alike.

Juveniles have a pale band in the center of the crown and some faint dark spots on the chest.

It can easily be confused with the Aquatic Warbler, which has a distinct pale stripe on the crown and a distinctly streaked back (rarer in Europe).

It can also be confused with the Savi's Warbler, which is more reddish, with a broad white eyebrow, a small black mustache, a dark crown, and dark legs (mostly sedentary in southern Europe).

Or with the Zitting Cisticola, which has a very distinct streaked back. Be observant!

The Sedge Warbler produces short, sharp calls. "errrrrr" (sometimes resembling a rattle sound).

Its song is a series of rapid, unvaried sounds accompanied by trills and whistles. It alternates harsh notes with melodious ones and often imitates other passerines in its song.

The Sedge Warbler is very active. It is not very shy and is easily seen.

It defends its territory by singing from a perch as soon as it sees an intruder enter.

The Sedge Warbler builds its nest in dense vegetation for laying eggs from April to May.

Its nest is a messy cup lined with grass and leaves.

Sometimes, its courtship flight resembles a "parachute flight" during which it spreads its tail and wings down to a perch.

The Sedge Warbler is insectivorous with its fine, straight bill.

It feeds at the water's edge, often in plain view.

It eats insects and spiders.

The Sedge Warbler lives in dense vegetation in wet areas: reed beds with bushes, rushes, willow groves at the water's edge, and ditches.

It is a summer visitor in Europe from April to September. It winters south of the Sahara.

It can live about seven years.