Sardinian Warbler

Curruca melanocephala

Genus · Curruca Warblers Family · Sylviid Warblers and Allies
Observation tips Difficulty: MODERATE
Best time
🕒 Any
Activity
☀️ Diurnal
Best months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Observation habitat
GardenOrchardScrub wasteland

Look for the 'angry' red eye. They are common in coastal shrubs in Southern Europe. Watch for the long, white-edged tail during flight.

Sardinian Warbler

♂ Male · ♀ Female

Stats
Wingspan15–18 cm
Weight10–16 g
Length13–14 cm
Lifespan wild3–7 yrs
Size
XS
S
M
L
XL
Nesting
Nest typeCup
Clutch size3–5 eggs
Incubation12–14 days
Breeding months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Regional Status (Europe)
LC
Least Concern (Europe)
IUCN Red List
MigrationResident
Social BehaviourSolitary

Diet: Omnivore

🫐Berries
🍎Fruits
🦗Insects
🐛Larvae
🕷️Spiders

Habitat

🏡 Garden🌊 Marine🍎 Orchard🏜️ Scrub wasteland
✦ Fun Fact

Male Sardinian Warblers may build several incomplete or “dummy” nests within their territory during the breeding season, likely as part of territorial display and mate attraction. The final nest is then selected and completed mainly by the female.

About

A quintessential bird of the Mediterranean. It lives in dry, bushy landscapes and gardens. It is a resident species in Southern Europe. It is easily identified by its dark head and a bright red ring around the eye. This gives it a fierce and alert expression. It is a bold and vocal bird.

Behaviour

Sardinian Warblers are highly active and aggressive toward other small birds. They move through dense scrub with quick hops and short flights. Their song is a fast, chattering rattle. Their rapid 'tchet-tchet-tchet' alarm call is a constant sound in the Mediterranean scrublands.

Sexual Dimorphism

♂ Male

Striking jet-black head down to the eye level. It has a white throat and slate-grey upperparts. The red eye-ring is very bright.

♀ Female

Much duller than the male. It has a grey-brown head instead of black. The red eye-ring is paler and less intense.

Similar species

Eurasian Blackcap
🐦
Eurasian Blackcap
Sylvia atricapilla
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