Whitethroat

Irish Name: Gilphíb
Scientific name: Sylvia communis
Bird Family: Warblers
green
Conservation status

Status

Widespread summer visitor from April to September.

Identification

Slightly larger than a Robin, and one of the largest warbler species breeding in Ireland. Adult males have a pale grey head, with a large white eyering. The throat is white, with the rest of the underparts being a pinkish-brown. The back, rump and tail are a rather non-descript grey-brown. The wings are mainly black, with obvious brown centres to the feathers. Females and juveniles are nearly identical, lacking the males grey head and white eyering, but have a faint pale supercilium. The head is a grey-brown colour, as for the back and rump.

Voice

A distinctive “vaihd-vaihd-vaihd”. The alarm call is a drawn out “chaihr”, while the song of the Whitethroat is a short scratchy warble similar to that of the Stonechat. May occasionally perform a song flight.

Diet

Feeds almost exclusively on insects and other invertebrates.

Breeding

Breeds in a variety of habitats, including scrub with gorse, hedgerows and uplands.

Wintering

Common Whitethroats winter in central and southern Africa.

Monitored by

Countryside Bird Survey.

Similar Species

Lesser Whitethroat

Irish Name:
Gilphíb bheag
Scientific name:
Linaria cannabina
Bird Family:
Warblers