Savi’s warbler

Latin Locustella luscinioides
Estonian Roo-ritsiklind

Also known as: no known names

Status in Estonia

Breeding and migratory bird.

Description

It is a grass warbler with a reddish brown top side and a small, inconspicuous eyebrow stripe. The underside of the tail has long, light-red-brown cover feathers with vaguely light tips, the wing edge is curved, the outer edge of the coverts is whitish, the breast is brownish-grey, and the side of the body has a reddish-grey shade. The upper part of the tail has a fine dark stripe and the legs are brownish and pale pink. Both sexes and age groups are similar.

Size

Body length 13.5–15 cm, wingspan 18–21 cm, body mass 13–19 g.

Similar species

River warbler, common reed warbler, common grasshopper warbler.

Distribution

It breeds diffusely throughout Europe, with the exception of northern part of Scandinavia and Iceland. The species is also widespread in North Africa and Central Asia. Estonia is located on the northern boundary of the Savi’s warbler breeding range and the species is already extremely rare in Southern Finland. A migratory bird within its entire breeding range; wintering areas are located south of the Sahara.

Population

Estonia has 5000–10,000 breeding pairs.

Occurrence in Estonia

It arrives from the second half of April until early May. It begins to leave in the second half of July and the last individuals may be seen in the middle of September.

Diet

The diet consists of insects, spiders, snails and other invertebrates.

Habitat

Savi’s warbler is more common along the coasts of Lääne and Pärnu counties, along Lake Peipsi and Lake Lämmijärvi and on various lakes and polders in South-east Estonia. It breeds primarily among reed beds along shores but also on bigger islets with reeds.

Nesting

It builds a nest on plant stalks or in shrubs. Dead plants, such as reeds and straw, are used by both adults to build the nest. In May, the female bird lays 4–5 eggs in the nest and incubates them for 12–15 days. After 11–15 days after hatching, the chicks learn to fly.

Conservation status and protection

Not under protection. The biggest threat is over-intensive reed management, which reduces optimal nesting biotopes.

Abundance and distribution in Lääne County.

Savi’s warbler is a common but relatively local reed warbler in Lääne County. The species’ primary breeding grounds are Matsalu National Park (about 3000 pairs) and Silma Nature Reserve (300–500 pairs), where it thrives in mosaic reed habitats that grow in water. The chirping of Savi’s warbler is extremely loud at dusk. The best time to hear their song is between late April and mid-June. The greatest spots to listen to birds in Matsalu are Port Kiideva, the mouth of the Kasari River and the Sutlepa Sea observation towers near Noarootsi.