Western Orphean Warbler
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Sylvia hortensis
Rare vagrants from Southern Europe with 5 records for Britain in May, September & November.
Breeds in South West Europe & North Africa.
Winters in tropical Africa.
The Adult Males have a plain grey back and whitish underparts.
The bill is long and pointed and the legs black.
The Male has a dark grey head, black eye mask, and white throat.
The iris is white.
Females and Juveniles have a paler head and buff underparts; their grey back has a brownish tinge.
The iris is dark in young birds.
The song is a series of warbling liroo-liroo and scolding notes.