Sardinian Warbler
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Sylvia melanocephala
Rare vagrants from Southern Europe with 100 records for Britain & 5 for Ireland.
Mostly in the Spring.
Breeds across South Western Europe.
They are primarily resident birds.
Winters in North Africa.
The Adult Male has a grey back, whitish underparts, black head, white throat and red eyes.
Plumages are somewhat variable even in the same locality, with the intensity of a reddish hue on upper- and/or underside that varies from absent to (in some subspecies) pronounced.
The Female is mainly brown above and buff below, with a grey head.
Juveniles are similar to Adult Females.
The song is fast and rattling, and is very characteristic of the Mediterranean areas where this bird breeds.