Moustached Warbler
Scientific Name: Acrocephalus melanopogonMaltese Name: Bufula Qastnija
Family: Warblers and Allies(Sylviidae)
Occurence: Very Scarce
Breeds in Malta: No
Overview:
The Moustached Warbler is very similar to the Sedge Warbler. It is also very local in south of Europe and rare out of its breeding range. It has a black cap, a bold white stripe over eye, a black moustache and a white chin, throat and belly with a dark streaked brownish back. It is mainly identified from the Sedge Warbler as the Moustached has a blacker crown, larger white stripe over eye and short wingtip. Its song is also a key feature. It feeds on insects and other small invertebrates found in wetland vegetation. It makes a nest low in reeds where it lays 5 or 6 eggs.
Status:
Very Scarce, is mainly resident in Mediterranean countries but moves about in autumn and thus in Malta a few are recorded every year. Singles winter at Simar nature Reserve.
When to See:
Recorded from October until March.
Where to See:
Certainly the best place to see this bird is at Simar Nature Reserve where the majority of individuals recorded each year are seen here. Ghadira Nature Reserve, Salina and valleys with a lot of cover and reeds are suitable too.
Photographs:
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Moustached Warbler, 14th November 2009, Ghadira Nature Reserve |
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