Marsh WarblerAcrocephalus palustrisMedium-sized brown warbler, very similar to Eurasian Reed-Warbler. Best differentiated by the song, which is delightful, distinctive, loud, and full of mimicry of European and African birds. The call is a nasal, short "chek" or "tret." Longer wings than Eurasian Reed-Warbler, with distinctive pale tips to wing feathers. Bill rather short; legs pale and less warm-toned than Eurasian Reed-Warbler. Breeds in thick herbaceous vegetation in marshy areas and along ditches, not usually in the middle of wet reed beds. Can be found in drier habitats during the non-breeding season.Acrocephalidae bird family
Order Passeriformes · 3 selected species
Browse verified BirdLens profiles selected for complete taxonomy, substantial descriptive coverage, and visual evidence. Open a species to compare its identification notes, distribution, behavior, sounds, and maps.
Marsh WarblerAcrocephalus palustrisMedium-sized brown warbler, very similar to Eurasian Reed-Warbler. Best differentiated by the song, which is delightful, distinctive, loud, and full of mimicry of European and African birds. The call is a nasal, short "chek" or "tret." Longer wings than Eurasian Reed-Warbler, with distinctive pale tips to wing feathers. Bill rather short; legs pale and less warm-toned than Eurasian Reed-Warbler. Breeds in thick herbaceous vegetation in marshy areas and along ditches, not usually in the middle of wet reed beds. Can be found in drier habitats during the non-breeding season.Marsh WarblerAcrocephalus palustrisMedium-sized brown warbler, very similar to Eurasian Reed-Warbler. Best differentiated by the song, which is delightful, distinctive, loud, and full of mimicry of European and African birds. The call is a nasal, short "chek" or "tret." Longer wings than Eurasian Reed-Warbler, with distinctive pale tips to wing feathers. Bill rather short; legs pale and less warm-toned than Eurasian Reed-Warbler. Breeds in thick herbaceous vegetation in marshy areas and along ditches, not usually in the middle of wet reed beds. Can be found in drier habitats during the non-breeding season.
Sedge WarblerAcrocephalus schoenobaenusSmall, well-marked warbler. Most striking plumage features are the contrasting broad, pale buffy eyebrow and dark crown stripes; otherwise, upperparts rich dark brownish overall (with indistinct streaking), underparts buffy. Juvenile (in summer–autumn) has fine dusky streaks on breast. Favors marshy and scrubby habitats with reeds, brambles, and bushes, usually not in extensive pure reed beds; can be found in drier habitats on migration. Often heard but can be hard to see: prolonged song much like a reed warbler but slightly faster-paced, jerkier, and overall rougher-toned. Gives short, dry “tchrrt” and “chek” calls.