Lesser Whitethroat

Sylvia curruca

Gilphíb bheag

Status: Rare summer visitor from April to September and scarce passage migrant mainly in autumn.

Conservation Concern: Amber-listed in Ireland due to its small breeding population. The European population has been evaluated as Secure.

Identification: Superficially similar to Common Whitethroat, though slightly smaller than that species.  In all plumages, has black legs (pink in Common Whitethroat). Adult summer Lesser Whitethroats have a featureless dark-grey head, which contrasts srongly to the white throat. The back, wings and tail are a dark grey-brown colour, with the underparts having a similar dark grey-brown wash. Juvenile birds are largely similar, though some may have a narrow white supercilium.

Similar Species: Other Warblers.

Call: Most frequently heard is a quiet "teck". The song consists of two parts, the first being a short scratchy warble, which is followed by a series (usually 5 or 6)  of  "tell" notes.

Diet: Feeds almost exclusively on insects and other invertebrates.

Breeding: Only a handful of pairs breed in Ireland, mainly in the east. Preferred habitat is of mature mature hedgerows in farmland. Also larger parks and gardens. More widespread in Britain (65,000 pairs) and Continental Europe.

Wintering: Lesser Whitethroats winter in East Africa, migrating through the Middle East. May occasionally overwinter in Ireland.

Where to See: Most easily seen as a passage migrant at headlands along the south coast (Cape Clear) in autumn.

Monitored by: Countryside Bird Survey and BirdTrack.