Spectacled Warbler

Curruca conspicillata - Fauvette à lunettes

Systematics

Order
:
Passeriformes
Family
:
Sylviidés
Genus
:
Curruca
Species
:
conspicillata

Descriptor

Temminck, 1820

Biometrics

Size
: 12 cm
Wingspan
: -
Weight
: 8 à 10 g

Geographic range

Distribution

Identification

This small sized Mediterranean Spectacled Warbler (male) has the following characteristics: slate gray cap fading to reddish brown on the back and on the wings, dark mask extending from bill to eye, brown-red iris, clear orbital circle, white throat, gray tail with white edges, gray salmon undersides. France is the northern limit of its distribution range. Young ones can easily be confused with young Garden Warblers (Sylvia cantillans).

Subspecific information 2 subspecies

Curruca conspicillata conspicillata (sw and s Europe, nw Africa, Turkey to Jordan)
Curruca conspicillata orbitalis (Madeira, Canary and Cape Verde Is.)

Foreign names

Fauvette à lunettes,
Curruca tomillera,
toutinegra-tomilheira,
Brillengrasmücke,
törpeposzáta,
Brilgrasmus,
Sterpazzola della Sardegna,
glasögonsångare,
Maskesanger,
penica okuliarnatá,
pěnice brýlatá,
Brillesanger,
pikkupensaskerttu,
tallarol trencamates,
Glámsöngvari,
pokrzewka okularowa,
briļļu ķauķis,
osočnikova penica,
Очковая славка,
ミナミノドジロムシクイ,
白眶林莺,
眼眶林鶯,

Voice song and cries

play
pause

The song consists of small, fluty stanzas similar to the song of the Tree Pipit. The calls are like creaking noises.

Habitat

The Spectacled Warbler frequents open habitats of low and high shrubs such as the garrigue and the maquis. The sansouire (halophile marsh with salicorns) is also appreciated by the species (for example in the Camargue). It also reproduces in the lavender fields in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.

Behaviour character trait

Western Europe populations take their winter quarters in North Africa, particularly in the Sahara. Some winter data in France.

Flight

This Spectacled Warbler often sings while flying between two groves of trees.

Dietfeeding habits

Insectivorous and occasionally frugivorous bird in the bad season.

Reproduction nesting

The Spectacled Warbler lays two clutches per year, ranging from 4 to 5 eggs. The nest is built near the ground in vegetation with plant-based fragments (plant down, leaves, roots, etc.) and wool at the bottom. Incubation is carried out jointly for two weeks.

Geographic range

Threats - protection

IUCN conservation status

Extinct

Threatened

Least
concern

Extinc
in the Wild

Near
threatened

Not
evaluated

EX EW CR EN VU NT LC NE

Species vulnerable in France due to deterioration of its habitats such as garrigue, maquis and sansouire, as well as unfavorable conditions on its African wintering grounds. The majority of the Spectacled Warbler population in France is restricted to the Mediterranean region. Its population appears to be decreasing, so quantitative studies are needed.