Animalia Life
Locustella naevia
SUBFAMILY
Sylviinae
TAXONOMY
Locustella naevia Boddaert, 1783.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
French: Locustelle tachetйe; German: Feldschwirl; Spanish:
Buscarla Pintoja.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
4.7–5.1 in (12–13 cm); 0.3–0.6 oz (9.5–18 g). Small grass warbler
with olive-brown upperparts, streaked with black, underparts
creamy white, flanks and breast buffy, streaked brown.
Short, rounded wings and short graduated tail.
DISTRIBUTION
Breeds from southern Scandinavia, British Isles and France
west throughout central Europe and Siberia to Mongolia,
Northern China. Winters in Africa and Indian subcontinent.
HABITAT
Grasslands, low scrub, bogs, fens and marshes, with some
shrubs and trees.
BEHAVIOR
Very secretive; keeps to dense cover. Gait is a run; flight short
and low. Song a high, far-carrying trill, common at night. Female
sings during courtship.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Forages in low vegetation and on ground for insects.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Female builds cup nest of grass and plant material on or near
ground in thick vegetation. The 5–6 eggs are incubated 12–15
days by both parents. Young leave nest after 10–15 days.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not threatened.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
None known.
Photo Gallery of - Grasshopper warbler
