Lesser whitethroat

The lesser whitethroat (Sylvia curruca) is a member of the warbler family that is similar in many respects to the whitethroat, although it is only slightly smaller. It is a summer visitor to Europe, spending the winter months in Africa south of the Sahara. Its range extends eastwards to northern China, but it is not found in Spain or Ireland. In the United Kingdom it is found in England and Wales but not much in Scotland, or at high altitude.

Lesser whitethroats leave for their winter quarters in late August or September.

Its preferred habitat is places with plenty of cover such as hedges and thick scrub, such as might be found in woodland margins and overgrown cemeteries and gardens. It is a skulking bird that prefers to stay hidden, and is therefore more likely to be heard than seen.

Appearance

The lesser whitethroat is 13-14 centimetres (5.5 inches) in length, more compact than the whitethroat and with a shorter tail. The upper plumage is grey or greyish-brown, as are the wings and rump, and the underparts are almost white in summer, with buff and pink tinges in winter. The plumage of the head is the most distinctive feature, with a much darker patch behind the eyes giving the appearance of a mask, especially in contrast with the white throat. The legs are dark grey. Male and female lesser whitethroats are similar in appearance, although there are minor differences in colouring.

Call

The lesser whitethroat has a variety of calls and songs, including a hard “tack tack” and a hoarse “charr”. It can vary its song between a short fast warble that can only be heard at close range and a rapid one-note rattle that carries a considerable distance.

Breeding

Lesser whitethroats arrive at their breeding grounds in April or May, with the males arriving about a week before the females. The males sing to establish a territory and then find a nest site. The nest is intricately woven from long thin roots that are pulled from the soil. A clutch of four to six eggs is laid in May or June, and incubation, shared by both partners, takes ten to twelve days. The young leave the nest after about two weeks but are still fed by the parent birds for a few days longer. A second brood is often raised in July or August.

Lesser whitethroats feed on insects, caterpillars, spiders, and berries when they ripen.

© John Welford