Blyth's Reed Warbler

About the Blyth's Reed Warbler

Blyth's reed warbler (Acrocephalus dumetorum) is a species of reed warbler belonging to the family Acrocephalidae, which also includes the tree warblers. Blyth's reed warbler breeds across the Palearctic zoogeographical region and winters in South Asia. The species has been expanding its range westwards in Europe.

Blyth's reed warbler was first formally described in 1849 by the English zoologist Edward Blyth with its type locality given as India. It is classified in the reed warbler genus Acrocephalus which was formerly included in the polyphyletic family Sylviidae but is now included in the family Acrocephalidae.

Blyth's reed warbler is named in honour of Edward Blyth, its describer. The genus name Acrocephalus is from Ancient Greek akros, "highest", and kephale, "head". It is possible that Naumann and Naumann thought akros meant "sharp-pointed". The specific dumetorum is from Latin dumetum, "thicket".

Blyth's reed warbler is between 12 and 14 cm (4.7 and 5.5 in) in length and weighs between 8 and 16 g (0.28 and 0.56 oz). It is a slim warbler with relatively short wings and a long bill. The plumage is rather plain with few distinguishing... Wikipedia →