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Lesser Swamp-Warbler | Acrocephalus gracilirostris
The Lesser Swamp-Warbler is a Southern African bird that belongs to the Sylviidae bird family group which includes birds such as Leaf-Warblers, Babblers, Warblers. The description for the Lesser Swamp-Warbler (Latin name Acrocephalus gracilirostris) can be found in the 7th Edition of the Roberts Birds of Southern Africa. The Acrocephalus gracilirostris can be quickly identified by its unique Roberts identification number of 635 and the detailed description of this bird is on page 802. You will find a picture of the Lesser Swamp-Warbler on page 849. NOTE: The reference for the information following is "Roberts Birds of Southern Africa", 7th Edition*. This edition contained a number of taxonomic changes as well as changes to English names used traditionally and in earlier editions of most bird books in South Africa. The following paragraph notes such changes if any. This bird is known as Cape Reed-Warbler in the Roberts 6th Edition. There have been no changes in the Latin name for the Lesser Swamp-Warbler between the Roberts 6th and Roberts 7th Edition The Lesser Swamp-Warbler is known in Afrikaans as Kaapse Rietsanger. The Lesser Swamp-Warbler has a height of 18 cms and weighs around 20 gms. The head is coloured brown while the bill is coloured yellow, . The Acrocephalus gracilirostris has a white coloured throat, blue, grey legs and a brown coloured back. The eyes are red. Take note of the main distinguishing features such as colour, size and leg length relative to the body size. Colours of body parts can be helpful. Be aware what may appear brown to one person is described in Roberts using some other word ... for example brown, black. See colours used in Roberts. Head is brown Eyes are red Bill is yellow, Legs are blue, grey Throat is white Back is brown Feeding Habits ...This bird forages for food on the ground This bird eats insects such as butterflies, bees, wasps, locusts and ants. These invertebrates are usually hawked aerially, killed and then eaten . Breeding, Habitat and Nesting Habits ...The Lesser Swamp-Warbler is a monogamous bird which means that the bird finds and breeds with one partner for the rest of its life. The bird lays between 2 to 3 eggs and they are coloured brown. The nest is built high up in the tree canopy and is protected from predators by branches and the dense green foligae. The Lesser Swamp-Warbler is found in the Southern African wetlands, riverine forests and moist grasslands. The bird is at home in riverine forests and close to water bodies such as lakes, dams and streams Seen in Flocks, Singles or Pairs Normally ...The Lesser Swamp-Warbler is mainly seen singly or in pairs in the wild. It is also seen in flocks |
