Marsh Warbler

Acrocephalus palustris

Silhouette: Yves Hoebeke · PhyloPic

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered

KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
PhylumChordata (Chordates)
ClassAves (Birds)
OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
FamilyAcrocephalidae (Reed Warblers and Allies)
GenusAcrocephalus (Reed Warblers)
SpeciesAcrocephalus palustris (Marsh Warbler)

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data

at Addo Elephant National Park

1 Verified sightings at Addo Elephant National Park From 2019 to 2026

1,916 Verified sightings across all 31 parks From 2019 to 2026

☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

About the Marsh Warbler

The marsh warbler (Acrocephalus palustris) is an Old World warbler currently classified in the family Acrocephalidae. It breeds in temperate Europe and the western Palearctic and winters mainly in southeast Africa. It is notable for incorporating striking imitations of a wide variety of other birds into its song.

The marsh warbler breeds in a variety of mostly damp habitats, but in Africa winters mainly in dry, well-vegetated areas. It is common over much of its breeding range and expanding its distribution in some areas. However, in Britain it is now virtually extinct as a breeding bird, though the reasons for its decline are unclear. This insectivorous warbler can be easily confused with several close relatives, but the imitative song of the male is highly distinctive.

The marsh warbler was formally described in 1798 by the German naturalist Johann Matthäus Bechstein under the scientific name Motacilla s. Sylvia palustris. The type locality is Germany. The marsh warbler is now one of around 40 species placed in the genus Acrocephalus that was introduced by Johann Andreas Naumann and his son Johann Friedrich Naumann in 1811. The genus name Acrocephalus is from Ancient... Wikipedia →

Closest Relatives at Addo Elephant National Park

Acrocephalus gracilirostris

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck

Acrocephalus baeticatus

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data

Acrocephalus scirpaceus

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare

Lanius collaris

Daily sighting probability ~60% · Likely

Dicrurus adsimilis

Daily sighting probability ~60% · Likely

Motacilla capensis

Daily sighting probability ~60% · Likely

Lamprotornis nitens

Daily sighting probability ~50% · Likely

Corvus capensis

Daily sighting probability ~50% · Likely

Corvus albus

Daily sighting probability ~50% · Likely

Telophorus zeylonus

Daily sighting probability ~50% · Likely

Andropadus importunus

Daily sighting probability ~50% · Likely

Laniarius ferrugineus

Daily sighting probability ~50% · Likely

See all 12 relatives Show fewer

Global Distribution

Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.

Parks Where Found

#	Park	Country	Daily sighting probability
1	Biebrza National Park	🇵🇱 Poland	~10%
2	Białowieża National Park	🇵🇱 Poland	~10%
3	Fertő-Hanság National Park	🇭🇺 Hungary	~10%
4	Gauja National Park	🇱🇻 Latvia	~10%
5	Tsavo West National Park	🇰🇪 Kenya	~10%
6	Ecrins National Park	🇫🇷 France	~10%
7	Hortobágy National Park	🇭🇺 Hungary	~10%
8	Bavarian Forest National Park	🇩🇪 Germany	~10%
9	Kiskunság National Park	🇭🇺 Hungary	~10%
10	Vanoise National Park	🇫🇷 France	~10%
11	Tsavo East National Park	🇰🇪 Kenya	<5%
12	Wadden Sea National Park	🇩🇪 Germany	<5%
13	Kruger National Park	🇿🇦 South Africa	<5%
14	Moremi Game Reserve	🇧🇼 Botswana	<5%
15	Chobe National Park	🇧🇼 Botswana	<5%
16	Triglav National Park	🇸🇮 Slovenia	Insufficient data
17	Garden Route National Park	🇿🇦 South Africa	Insufficient data
18	Addo Elephant National Park	🇿🇦 South Africa	Insufficient data
19	Mkomazi National Park	🇹🇿 Tanzania	Insufficient data
20	Pilanesberg National Park	🇿🇦 South Africa	Insufficient data
21	Ruaha National Park	🇹🇿 Tanzania	Insufficient data
22	Tatra National Park	🇸🇰 Slovakia	Insufficient data
23	Mikumi National Park	🇹🇿 Tanzania	Insufficient data
24	Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park	🇿🇦 South Africa	Insufficient data
25	Nairobi National Park	🇰🇪 Kenya	Insufficient data
26	Mana Pools National Park	🇿🇼 Zimbabwe	Insufficient data
27	Kafue National Park	🇿🇲 Zambia	Insufficient data
28	Arusha National Park	🇹🇿 Tanzania	Insufficient data
29	South Luangwa National Park	🇿🇲 Zambia	Insufficient data
30	Camargue	🇫🇷 France	Insufficient data
31	Amboseli National Park	🇰🇪 Kenya	Insufficient data

← Back to Addo Elephant National Park

Marsh Warbler

About the Marsh Warbler

Recent sightings of Marsh Warbler in Addo Elephant National Park

Closest Relatives at Addo Elephant National Park

Lesser Swamp Warbler

African Reed-Warbler

Eurasian Reed-Warbler

Southern Fiscal

Fork-tailed Drongo

Cape Wagtail

Red-shouldered Glossy-starling

Cape Crow

Pied Crow

Bokmakierie

Sombre Greenbul

Southern Boubou

Global Distribution

Parks Where Found