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Lesser Swamp-warbler [Cape Reed-warbler] (Acrocephalus gracilirostris)



Taken at Lake Panic

Other Names
Other English: Cape Reed-warbler
Afrikaans: Kaapse Rietsanger
Dutch: Kaapse rietzanger
German: Kaprohrsänger
Portuguese: Rouxinol-pequeno-dos-pântanos
French: Rousserolle à bec fin[quote][/quote]

Lesser swamp warbler

Am I right or am I right!?

(Wakkerstroom, yesterday)

We saw this one below at the Strandfontein sewerage works in Cape Town. Maybe Levaillant's Cisticola?


Thanks.

Lesser Swamp Warbler.

Hello everyone...
Not to sure about this lil' guy.
Size: 15cm-18cm
Habitat: Reeds
Date: 8 June
I took this photo at Rietvlei Nature Reserve, Pretoria.

At this time of year my gut feeling would be a
Lesser Swamp-Warbler, I have seen them at Rietvlei during winter before.

Like Snoobab said, the Lesser Swamp Warbler or Cape Reed Warbler as it is lately known is one of three options to consider in winter time @ Rietvlei.

The other options are African Sedge Warbler formerly known as Little Rush-Warbler and African Marsh Warbler.

Your bird shows a distinct eye brow. Which rules out African Marsh Warbler.

The African Sedge Warbler shows a distinct broad round tail which is absent here.

I agree with Snoobab on the Cape Reed Warbler and the tawny flanks are a good indication on this.

Lesser Swamp-Warbler



Today @ Rondebult NR, few minutes apart in same spot, no sounds, greyish legs, next to pool.

So far 3 lifters from there for me Pied Avocet, Red-billed and Hottentot Teal

Please help me ID these two birds. Seen at Rietvlei NR

First one looks quite large, and probably a Lesser Swamp Warbler(Prominant white eye brow, and very pale below, and apparent? large size) Now that you have Roberts Multimedia Try to Learn the Warbler calls, they easy and help so much in the field!

Hi all, It's been a long time since I was here, first we had computer problems,then it was summer, then more computer problems, and then more. Now we've got a new computer, finished all the other photoshopping that needed doing for various projects, and finally have time to continue with our Eastern cape trip. Heres a bird we saw from the birdhide at Rondevlei near Wilderness in February, it was skulking around the reeds. We think it's an (African sedge) Little rush warbler, can anyone confirm that?
Best regards Neil

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3210/304 ... 6b1e7c.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3031/305 ... 5a1cd4.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There's not much to go by from these pics Neil and I'd be cautious to speak out with too much confidence but I tend to think that it is rather a Lesser Swamp-Warbler.

Little Rush-Warbler have a very broad tail with a nice rounded edge and their upperparts are darker than most other warblers. This bird doesn't look particularly dark to me. LRW also has paler legs (pink or brown) while this bird's leg colour is closer to black, as is Lesser Swamp-Warbler.

Pity the pictures don't show the call - they're dirt easy when you ID them on call.

Thanks Deefstes, A lesser swamp warbler it is!
/Neil

Sorry Yolandé

Not able to answer your queries but you did remind me that I had never posted a warbler from Marievale in Jan!

Hopefully we can both come up trumps!



Thanks guys!

I should actually make you post your thoughts on this one first, Cherries...

The long bill (and you should have noted size because it is noticeably bigger than the ones regularly seen) terminal position of the wing tips, eye brow - Lesser Swamp-warbler