Marmora's Warbler

Marmora's Warbler, Sylvia sarda, is an Old World warbler in the typical warbler genus Sylvia. It breeds on Mediterranean islands, including Corsica, Sardinia and the Balearic Islands. The smaller Balearic race is sometimes given specific status as Balearic Warbler, Sylvia balearica.

This species is mainly resident but some birds migrate south to winter in north Africa. This is a rare vagrant to northern and western Europe.

These small passerine birds are found in open country with thorny bushes and heather. 3-5 eggs are laid in a nest in a bush. Like most warblers, Marmora's Warbler is insectivorous.

These are small, long tailled, large-headed warblers, similar in size and shape to a Dartford Warbler, Sylvia undata. Marmora's Warblers are grey above and below, lacking the brick-red underparts of their relative.

Adult males have darker patches on the forehead and between the eye and the pointed bill. The legs and iris are red. The song is a fast rattle.

Immature birds can be confused with young Dartford Warblers, which are also grey below, but Marmora's have a paler throat. The iris is dark.

Balearic Warbler is 20% smaller than the nominate form. It is also paler below, with a pinkish tinge.

This bird is named after the Italian naturalist Alberto della Marmora.