Syke's Warbler

Hippolais rama (Sykes, 1832)

2021-05-18 Issyk-Kul region	© Aziza Abdurakhmanova

Description

The Syke's Warbler has buffy-brownish grey tinged upperparts and buffy-whitish underparts. Legs are pale-pinkish. It is resemble the Booted Warbler of which was formerly treated as subspecies. In comparison with the Booted Warbler the Syke's Warbler is slightly larger; has greyer upperparts, paler underparts, longer tail and longer bill. The rate of tail's length on length of wing on the Booted Warbler is never more than 0.82 (usually less than 0.80) but on the Syke's Warbler it is more. The bill length of the Booted Warbler (calligata subspecies) is 12.9-14.5 mm; of the Syke's Warbler it is 14.8-16.3 mm. The most specific features of the Syke's Warbler are long bill and slightly flattened forehead.

Biology

The Syke's Warbler is common breeding migrant. It inhabits the bushes in deserts, the edge of riparian forests, forest-belts and the reed patches, both on plains and in foothills. It appears in the end of April – early May. Breeds in separate pairs. Nest is built in the bush (tamarisk, saxaul, willow) up to 1.5 m high; nest is from the dry grass lined with the vegetation fluff, feather and some hair. Clutches of 3-5 eggs is in mid May – early June. Both parents feed juveniles, which fledge in end June – mid July. One brood per season, repeated breeding after losing of first nest is common. Autumn migration in late July, latest autumn migrants recorded in early September.

References

Э.И.Гаврилов. "Фауна и распространение птиц Казахстана". Алматы, 1999. Gavrilov E. I., Gavrilov A. E. "The Birds of Kazakhstan". Almaty, 2005.