Sylvia borin - Garden Warbler
Feather characters. Barbules are from short until medium length (0.7-1.2 mm) and divided into pigmented nodes and partly pigmented (less than 50%) internodes. Bell-shaped nodes are equally distributed along the entire length of barbules (39-43 per mm). They all are about the same size, slightly decreasing towards distal end. Villi are rounded and internodes are straight. Minute prongs may be found on distal end of barbules and on both sides of the pennulum. Barbules have this typical structure for Passeriformes; pigmented, bell-shaped nodes combined with rounded villi.
Field characters. Size 14 cm. Weight 13.9 g (8.5-20.7) (Dunning, 1993). Without any obvious field marks. Upperparts mainly brown or brownish-grey, wings and tail somewhat darker, underparts buffish white. Dark eye, very indistinct supercilium, indistinct white eye-ring, short stocky bill, pale grey legs. Sometimes mistaken for other warblers, notably reed warblers, but distinguished by small grey patch at side of neck. Sexes similar. Habits like Blackcap, usually staying in cover and not singing from exposed songpost, as sometimes done by Blackcap.
Voice. Calls 'check' and 'churr'. Song gentle and hurried, like a speedy Blackbird, difficult to distinguish from Blackcap but more warbling and phrases longer, without clear notes at end.
Distribution. Common summer visitor. Map: see MapIt.
Habitat. Luxuriant open forest with dense undergrowth, in parks, gardens, or along edge of woodland. Prefers more shrub and less trees than Blackcap.
Food. Insects and berries.