Orphean Warbler

Orphean Warbler , Sylvia hortensis, is an Old World warbler in the typical warbler genus Sylvia. It breeds in southernmost areas of Europe across to Turkey and the Caucasus, and in north west Africa. It is migratory, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa. This is a rare vagrant to northern and western Europe.

These small passerine birds are found in open deciduous woodland. 4-6 eggs are laid in a nest in a bush or tree. Like most warblers, Orphean Warbler is insectivorous.

These are large for warblers, similar in size to a Blackcap. The adult males have a plain grey back and whitish underparts. The bill is long and pointed and the legs black. The male has a dark grey head, black eye mask and white throat. The iris is white.

Females and immatures have a paler head and buff underparts. The iris is dark. Their grey back has a brownish tinge. The song is a repeated liroo-liroo. Eastern race birds have a more varied song and pinker belly than those breeding in south west Europe and Africa.