Sylviidae bird family

Order Passeriformes · 4 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.

Dartford WarblerCurruca undataPlumage is rather dark overall, grayish above and dull wine-red below; note narrow red eyering and fairly bright yellowish legs. No similar species in most of its range. Skulking and difficult to see well, although when singing in spring may perch atop a bush, the long tail often held slightly cocked. Song is composed of short whistles and harsher rattles; calls are dry and scolding. Breeds in dense scrubby habitats, especially heathland with gorse. Winters in similar habitats, albeit averaging more open and occasionally grassy.

Eurasian BlackcapSylvia atricapillaA rather distinctive and bulky warbler: male plain grayish overall with eponymous black cap; female and juvenile plain, slightly browner overall, with rusty-brown cap. Inhabits wooded and scrubby habitats, including gardens, sometimes visiting feeders in the winter. Small numbers winter in Western Europe, but most migratory birds move south to Africa and the Mediterranean region. Song is a varied, rather loud rich warble, often strident. Often gives a harsh “chakchak” call, usually in series. Rare dark morph with black-hooded male and brown-hooded female can be found on the Atlantic Islands and very scarcely elsewhere.

Eurasian BlackcapSylvia atricapillaA rather distinctive and bulky warbler: male plain grayish overall with eponymous black cap; female and juvenile plain, slightly browner overall, with rusty-brown cap. Inhabits wooded and scrubby habitats, including gardens, sometimes visiting feeders in the winter. Small numbers winter in Western Europe, but most migratory birds move south to Africa and the Mediterranean region. Song is a varied, rather loud rich warble, often strident. Often gives a harsh “chakchak” call, usually in series. Rare dark morph with black-hooded male and brown-hooded female can be found on the Atlantic Islands and very scarcely elsewhere.

Garden WarblerSylvia borinPlain brownish warbler, without any striking features—in itself a field mark. Note hint of paler eyering, diffuse gray patch on side of neck, and relatively stubby bill for a warbler. Found in a wide variety of wooded and shrubby habitats, where it is often rather sluggish and easily overlooked. Pleasant, rich warbling song much like a Blackcap song, but tends to be more even-paced and less emphatic. Gives dry “chekchek” calls, often in series, similar to those of Blackcap.