Barratt's Warbler
Bradypterus barratti
A skulky, dull brown warbler with a long and graduated tail, a pale grayish eyebrow, and a throat that is lightly streaked. It creeps around mouse-like in thick undergrowth and tangles in forest and forest edge. It is also found in isolated pockets of scrub, often adjacent to streams, and is frequently detected and identified by its song, mostly delivered between September and December: 2-3 sweet “tsiit” notes followed by a loud trill of 15-20 harsh “tchui” notes. It also has a strident chipping alarm call “tddd-ddr-ddr-ddr-ddr-tt.” The similar Knysna Warbler differs from Barratt’s Warbler by its shorter tail, darker underparts, less pronounced throat streaking, and different song.
Taxonomy
Bradypterus barratti was described by Sharpe in 1876 from the Mac Mac goldfields, Mashishing, Mpumalanga. Barratt's Warbler has been regarded as conspecific with the Evergreen Forest Warbler (Bradypterus lopezi); however, they differ in voice and morphology. Currently, the Barratt's Warbler is considered polytypic, with four races being recognized: B. b. barratti, B. b. godfreyi, B. b. priesti and B. b. cathkinensis.
- Scientific name
- Bradypterus barratti
- Authority
- Sharpe, 1876
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Locustellidae
- Genus
- Bradypterus
Range and habitat
Barratt's Warbler inhabits dense tangled scrub, bracken (Pteridium sp), brambles (Smilax spp and alien Rubus spp), and heath (Erica spp) along streams, in clearings, and in edges of forest and plantations.
- Migration
- Vertical migration
Behavior
The males sing near the nest during the breeding period. It is usually solitary or in pairs. It remains on or near the ground, climbing agilely among vegetation.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Canirallus oculeus
A distinctive and rarely encountered forest rail with a gray face, a red neck and chest, and a banded appearance to the belly. The hind neck and back are brown, contrasting with the reddish tail. Found in thick vegetation in lowland forest, especially along creeks and near marshes. Song can last up to three minutes: a series of doubled hollow notes becoming interspersed with and eventually replaced by softer notes as the song progresses. Also gives a rapid booming series of 3-6 half-second notes that descend on a scale of half tones. Sings by day or night.
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Cloud-forest Screech-Owl
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