The Knysna warbler or Knysna scrub warbler (Bradypterus sylvaticus) is a very shy and cryptic warbler, endemic to the coastal regions of South Africa.[2] Its population is small and probably declining, due to natural and artificial fragmentation of its habitat, and limited dispersal and reproductive ability.[3]
Brown with an olivaceous tinge on the upperpart plumage, including the wings and tail. Below it is paler olivaceous brown, and whitish on the centre of the belly.[2] The chin and throat are olivaceous brown, but mottled whitish and finely streaked. The tail is relatively short and square. The eye, bill, legs and feet are brown, though the lower mandible is paler and horn-coloured.[2]
Habitat and rangeedit
The habitat of the Knysna warbler is dense tangled scrub of forest edges,[2] on or relatively near the coast. It has adapted to non-native bramble thickets and colonised suburban riparian woodland, though without any marked range expansion.[3]
It stays near the ground at the base of vegetation, and is hard to observe. It may frequently forage on the ground.[3] It has a distinctive tabirr call and a fine, accelerating trilled song,[2] which can be used sparingly to call it into sight.
Most breeding territories are established in dense vegetation along streams, and nests are placed very close to the ground. They may be highly philopatric - one of three colour-ringed nestlings was seen a year later occupying its parent territory. It may undertake local migration.
Similar speciesedit
It is replaced northwards by the similar Barratt's warbler, which has a somewhat longer tail, mottled throat,[3] and distinguishable call and song.
Referencesedit
^BirdLife International (2016). "Bradypterus sylvaticus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22714480A94418244. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22714480A94418244.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
^ abcdeMackworth-Praed, C.W.; Grant, C.H.B. (1963). Birds of the Southern Third of Africa: Volume II. Longmans. p. 219. ISBN0582460840.
^ abcdeEkstrom, J.; et al. "Knysna Warbler". Species fact sheet. BirdLife International. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
^"Knysna Warbler". Birds in Reserves Project. Avian Dempography Unit (ADU). Retrieved 16 May 2014.
External linksedit
Knysna warbler - Species text in The Atlas of Southern African Birds.
April 14, 2024
knysna, warbler, knysna, scrub, warbler, bradypterus, sylvaticus, very, cryptic, warbler, endemic, coastal, regions, south, africa, population, small, probably, declining, natural, artificial, fragmentation, habitat, limited, dispersal, reproductive, ability, . The Knysna warbler or Knysna scrub warbler Bradypterus sylvaticus is a very shy and cryptic warbler endemic to the coastal regions of South Africa 2 Its population is small and probably declining due to natural and artificial fragmentation of its habitat and limited dispersal and reproductive ability 3 Knysna warblerIllustration by Joseph Smit 1883Conservation statusVulnerable IUCN 3 1 1 Scientific classificationDomain EukaryotaKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClass AvesOrder PasseriformesFamily LocustellidaeGenus BradypterusSpecies B sylvaticusBinomial nameBradypterus sylvaticusSundevall 1860 Contents 1 Description 2 Habitat and range 3 Behaviour 4 Similar species 5 References 6 External linksDescription editBrown with an olivaceous tinge on the upperpart plumage including the wings and tail Below it is paler olivaceous brown and whitish on the centre of the belly 2 The chin and throat are olivaceous brown but mottled whitish and finely streaked The tail is relatively short and square The eye bill legs and feet are brown though the lower mandible is paler and horn coloured 2 Habitat and range editThe habitat of the Knysna warbler is dense tangled scrub of forest edges 2 on or relatively near the coast It has adapted to non native bramble thickets and colonised suburban riparian woodland though without any marked range expansion 3 It occurs along the coastlines of the southern Western Cape and Eastern Cape and marginally in KwaZulu Natal but is extinct from the vicinity of Durban due to habitat loss 3 A small population of less than 40 pairs exists on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain Cape Town and it is present in forested valleys of the Langeberg It has been recorded from some 24 nature reserves including the Addo Elephant National Park 4 Behaviour editIt stays near the ground at the base of vegetation and is hard to observe It may frequently forage on the ground 3 It has a distinctive tabirr call and a fine accelerating trilled song 2 which can be used sparingly to call it into sight Most breeding territories are established in dense vegetation along streams and nests are placed very close to the ground They may be highly philopatric one of three colour ringed nestlings was seen a year later occupying its parent territory It may undertake local migration Similar species editIt is replaced northwards by the similar Barratt s warbler which has a somewhat longer tail mottled throat 3 and distinguishable call and song References edit BirdLife International 2016 Bradypterus sylvaticus IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016 e T22714480A94418244 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2016 3 RLTS T22714480A94418244 en Retrieved 11 November 2021 a b c d e Mackworth Praed C W Grant C H B 1963 Birds of the Southern Third of Africa Volume II Longmans p 219 ISBN 0582460840 a b c d e Ekstrom J et al Knysna Warbler Species fact sheet BirdLife International Retrieved 16 May 2014 Knysna Warbler Birds in Reserves Project Avian Dempography Unit ADU Retrieved 16 May 2014 External links editKnysna warbler Species text in The Atlas of Southern African Birds Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Knysna warbler amp oldid 1126077817, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
