African desert warbler
| African desert warbler | |
|---|---|
| File:Fauvette du désert Jebil NP.jpg | |
| Scientific classification Edit this classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Sylviidae |
| Genus: | Curruca |
| Species: | C. deserti
|
| Binomial name | |
| Curruca deserti (Loche, 1858)
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
The African desert warbler (Curruca deserti) is a species of warbler in the family Sylviidae.
Taxonomy
[edit | edit source]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 common whitethroat. But it seems that all these three taxa are fairly basal members of the genus.[5][6]
Distribution and habitat
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]
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]
References
[edit | edit source]- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ a b 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. Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value)..
- ^ IOC World Bird List version 2.9: Old World Warblers Archived 2010-03-24 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c Svensson, L., Mullarney, K. & Zetterström, D. (2009). Collins Bird Guide, second edition. HarperCollins, London Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value)..
- ^ 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 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Jønsson, K. A., & Fjeldså, J. (2006). A phylogenetic supertree of oscine passerine birds (Aves: Passeri). Zool. Scripta 35 (2): 149–186. Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value). (HTML abstract).
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