whitethroat
Sylvia communis

Compare with:
lesser whitethroat

Key facts

Characteristic white throat and hurried scratchy song

Habitat: any area with thick brambles, bushes or overgrown hedges

Widespread and common summer visitor

Recognition

White throat, grey crown, prominent rusty wings; 13–15 cm

Often perch on bush tops to sing; short, dancing, vertical song flight

Feeds mainly on insects, also spiders, and berries in autumn

Lifecycle

Nest is a deep cup of grasses lined with hair and down, close to ground in cover

Usually 2 broods May to July; 4–5 pale buff eggs, speckled grey

Male often builds several 'trial' nests, before vigorous courtship display

whitethroat
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