Cyprus Warbler
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| Cyprus Warbler | ||||||||||||||
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| Sylvia melanothorax (Gmelin, 1789) |
The Cyprus Warbler, Sylvia melanothorax, is an Old World warbler which breeds on Cyprus.
This small passerine bird is a short-distance migrant, and winters in Israel, Jordan and Egypt.
This is a bird of dry open country, often on hill slopes, with bushes for nesting. The nest is built in low shrub or gorse, and 3-5 eggs are laid.
Although most warblers have the sexes identical, several Sylvia species have distinct male and female plumages. The adult male is a small warbler with a grey back, black head, white moustaches, and, uniquely, underparts heavily streaked with black. The female is mainly grey above, with a greyer head, and whitish with only light spotting. Like most warblers, it is insectivorous, but will also take berries.
The Cyprus Warbler's song is fast and rattling, and is similar to that of the Sardinian Warbler.