The African desert warbler (Curruca deserti) is a species of warbler in the family Sylviidae.
| African desert warbler | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Sylviidae |
| Genus: | Curruca |
| Species: | C. deserti |
| Binomial name | |
| Curruca deserti (Loche, 1858) | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Taxonomy
editUntil recently it was considered conspecific with the Asian desert warbler (and called just "desert warbler"),[2] but is now given specific status.[3][4] The two are still each other's closest living relatives, and their relationships to other typical warblers are not clear; they may be fairly close to the common whitethroat. But it seems that all these three taxa are fairly basal members of the genus.[5][6]
Distribution and habitat
editDescription
editIt is a small bird, marginally the smallest in the genus, 11–12 cm long, and 7–10 g weight. The sexes are almost identical in colour, pale sandy yellow-brown above and whitish below; the bill and legs are yellowish, and the eye has a yellow iris; it differs from the Asian desert warbler in its more yellowish overall colour.
Behaviour
edit
Like its relatives, it is insectivorous, but will also take small berries; unlike most warblers, it commonly feeds on the ground. The song is a distinctive jingle often given in an advertisement flight, with clear notes (differing from Asian desert warbler in having few harsh notes[4]). It breeds in desert and semi-desert environments, as long as some scattered bushes for nesting occur. The nest is built in low shrub, and 2–5 eggs are laid.[2][4]
References
edit- ↑ BirdLife International (2017) [amended version of 2016 assessment]. "Curruca deserti". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017 e.T22734413A111152386. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T22734413A111152386.en. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
- 1 2 Del Hoyo, J., Elliot, A., & Christie, D. (editors). (2006). Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 11: Old World Flycatchers to Old World Warblers. Lynx Edicions. ISBN 84-96553-06-X.
- ↑ IOC World Bird List version 2.9: Old World Warblers Archived 2010-03-24 at the Wayback Machine
- 1 2 3 Svensson, L., Mullarney, K. & Zetterström, D. (2009). Collins Bird Guide, second edition. HarperCollins, London ISBN 978-0-00-726726-2.
- ↑ Helbig, A. J. (2001). The characteristics of the genus: Phylogeny and biogeography of the genus Sylvia. Pages 24–28 in: Shirihai, H., Gargallo, G., Helbig, A. J., & Harris, A. Sylvia Warblers. Helm Identification Guides ISBN 0-7136-3984-9
- ↑ Jønsson, K. A., & Fjeldså, J. (2006). A phylogenetic supertree of oscine passerine birds (Aves: Passeri). Zool. Scripta 35 (2): 149–186. doi:10.1111/j.1463-6409.2006.00221.x (HTML abstract).