Scientific name: Acrocephalus palustris (Bechstein, 1798)
Bird group: Warblers
Field characters. 12.5 cm. Very similar to Blyth's Reed Warbler and Reed Warbler, especially in autumn. Less rufous, more olive-brown than Reed Warbler with less rufous rump. Underparts appear whiter, with buffish instead of rufous flanks. Bill slightly shorter, crown somewhat higher, giving head a rounder look and legs straw-coloured (usually more greyish in Reed Warbler), with paler claws. Song often performed from centre of bush instead of from top of reed stem. Often sings at night. Stays low in vegetation and not easy to see.
Voice. Call 'chuk'. Song warbling, strongly variable, containing many imitations of other birds; less uniform than song of Reed Warbler.
Distribution. Common summer visitor.
Habitat. In marshy habitat with reed beds, sedges, etc., mixed with bushes and trees; sometimes in drier places, but virtually always close to water.
Food. Insects and, in autumn, berries.