Scientific name: Hippolais caligata (Lichtenstein, 1823)
Bird group: Warblers
Field characters. 11.5-12 cm. Small warbler with rounded head-shape, unlike other Hippolais ; in many ways resembles leaf warblers (especially Bonelli's Warbler). Upperparts pale brownish-buff, rump and tail slighter warmer coloured; underparts whitish. Has most distinct head-pattern of Hippolais species with darkly bordered, cream-coloured supercilium, extending well behind eye. Tertials and inner secondaries have pale fringes; outer tail feathers have narrow white edges (usually only visible in flight). Bill quite short for Hippolais (but longer than in leaf warblers), yellow-light orange to flesh-coloured with dark culmen, lower mandible with dark tip. Legs pale flesh-coloured with a hint of grey. Forages usually low in the vegetation, without the 'nervous' movements of most leaf warbler species. The (south)eastern form, Sykes's Warbler H. rama, is usually considered a separate species. This species is very similar to the Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, H. (p.) elaeica. Recent research indicates that both H. caligata and H. rama should probably be placed in the genus Acrocephalus.
Voice. Call a short "tschek", usually repeated 3-4 times. Song resembles that of mediterranean Sylvia species, a fast chatter.
Distribution. From central Russia to central Asia.
Habitat. Gardens, orchards, hedgerows, scrubs, or bushes, often near water.
Food. Insects.