Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler
Helopsaltes certhiola
Furtive streaky brown warbler; typically buries itself deep in tangled vegetation and is very difficult to see. If seen well, note well-streaked upperparts, long wedge-shaped tail, and rufous rump. Only other well-streaked Locustella warbler in range is the smaller Lanceolated, which has a shorter tail and more extensive streaking on the underparts. Favors wet habitats; breeds in boggy taiga and vegetated riverbanks, winters in reedbeds and marshy fields. Clattering song reminiscent of reed warblers. Call a sharp “tik”; also gives a rapid-fire dry rattle.
Identification
This is a medium-sized warbler. The adult has a streaked brown back, whitish grey underparts, unstreaked except on the undertail. The sexes are identical, as with most warblers, but young birds are yellower below. Like most warblers, it is insectivorous. It is very similar to the common grasshopper warbler, but is slightly larger, has white tips to the tail and tertial feathers, and a warmer brown rump. The white tips are the reason for its colloquial, mnemonic name of "PG Tips".<p>This is a skulking species which is very difficult to see except sometimes when singing. It creeps through grass and low foliage.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Helopsaltes certhiola
- Authority
- (Pallas, 1811)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Locustellidae
- Genus
- Helopsaltes
Range and habitat
This small passerine bird is found in tall grass with some thicker vegetation, usually close to water in bogs or wet meadows. From 4 to 7 eggs are laid in a nest on the ground in grass. This species is a very rare vagrant to western Europe. One of the best places to see this skulking species as a vagrant is Fair Isle, Shetland; for a species that only rarely appears in western Europe, it can be found there with some regularity.
- Breeding range
- PAL : e
- Non-breeding range
- OR
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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