Marsh Warbler
Acrocephalus palustris
Silhouette: Yves Hoebeke · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
- FamilyAcrocephalidae (Reed Warblers and Allies)
- GenusAcrocephalus (Reed Warblers)
- SpeciesAcrocephalus palustris (Marsh Warbler)
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 →
Recent sightings of Marsh Warbler in Kafue National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Kafue National Park
Lesser Swamp Warbler
Acrocephalus gracilirostris
Eurasian Reed-Warbler
Acrocephalus scirpaceus
Icterine Warbler
Hippolais icterina
Common Bulbul
Pycnonotus barbatus
Tropical Boubou
Laniarius major
Black-backed Puffback
Dryoscopus cubla
Fork-tailed Drongo
Dicrurus adsimilis
African Pied Wagtail
Motacilla aguimp
Blue-breasted Cordonbleu
Uraeginthus angolensis
Wire-tailed Swallow
Hirundo smithii
White-browed Robin-Chat
Cossypha heuglini
Black-crowned Tchagra
Tchagra senegalus
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.