Acrocephalus scirpaceus - Reed Warbler
Feather characters. Barbules are rather short (0.62-0.71 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 (34-38 per mm). They all are about the same size, slightly decreasing towards distal end. Villi are rounded and internodes are straight. Minute prongs are present 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 13 cm. Weight 12.3 g (8.0-19.7) (Dunning, 1993). Very similar to Marsh Warbler (Acrocephalus palustris, not included in BRIS) and Blyth's Reed Warblers (Acrocephalus demetorum, not included in BRIS). Upperparts more rufous toned, with more rufous rump than in Marsh Warbler. Supercilium indistinct. Underparts more coloured, less white, than Marsh Warbler. Legs sometimes more grey. Bill slightly longer and head flatter than in Marsh Warbler, giving a less 'gentle' appearance. Usually difficult to see, except when singing. Song often given from reed stem, slowly climbing to the top while singing.
Voice. Call 'cherr'. Song like Marsh warbler, but less imitating, and like Sedge warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus, not included in BRIS), but less hurried and more uniform. Characteristic is the always returning 'karre karre keet keet'.
Distribution. Common summer visitor. Map: see MapIt.
Habitat. Needs reed, though sometimes satisfied with narrow fringe. More commonly found in uniform extensive reed beds than Marsh Warbler.
Food. Insects and, in autumn, berries.