Paddyfield warbler

Appearance

At 13 centimetres long with a wingspan of 15–17.5 centimetres, Paddyfield is close in size to the Eurasian reed warbler but with shorter bill and wingspan. The adult has an unstreaked pale brown back and buff underparts, with a warm brown rump. There is a clearer whitish supercilium and the bill is short and pointed. The sexes are identical, as with most warblers, but young birds are richer buff below. Like most warblers, it is insectivorous.

Naming

The genus name "Acrocephalus" is from Ancient Greek "akros", "highest", and "kephale", "head". It is possible that Naumann and Naumann thought "akros" meant "sharp-pointed". The specific "agricola" is from Latin and means "farmer".

Distribution

It breeds in the temperate central Palearctic. It is migratory, wintering in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. It is a rare vagrant to western Europe although there are small breeding populations along the western shores of the Black Sea around the border between Bulgaria and Romania. This passerine bird is a species found in low vegetation such as long grass, reeds and rice. 4–5 eggs are laid in a nest in grass.

Behavior

The song is fast and similar to marsh warbler, with much mimicry and typically acrocephaline whistles added. Its song is weaker and more rhythmic than that of its relative.