Whitethroat

Whitethroat

Taxobox
name = Whitethroat


image_width = 204px
status = LC
status_system = iucn3.1
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Passeriformes
familia = Sylviidae
genus = "Sylvia"
species = "S. communis"
binomial = "Sylvia communis"
binomial_authority = Latham, 1787, England

The Whitethroat, "Sylvia communis", is a common and widespread typical warbler which breeds throughout Europe and across much of temperate western Asia. This small passerine bird is strongly migratory, and winters in tropical Africa, Arabia and India.

This is one of several "Sylvia" species that has distinct male and female plumages. Both sexes are mainly brown above and buff below, with chestnut fringes to the secondary remiges. The adult male has a grey head and a white throat. The female lacks the grey head, and the throat is duller. The Whitethroat's song is fast and scratchy, with a scolding tone.

This species was believed by someFact|date=April 2007 to be closely related to the Lesser Whitethroat, the species having evolved only during the end of the last ice age similar to the Willow Warbler and Chiffchaffs. But researchers learned soon that this is not correct, and now it is known that white throats are unreliable morphological markers for relationships in "Sylvia". Chestnut wing patches, like white throats, seem to be plesiomorphic, but indicate phylogeny better. Nonetheless, apart from the Whitethroat not being closely related to the Lesser Whitethroat group, little can be resolved as it seems a fairly basal taxon.(Helbig 2001, Jønsson & Fjeldså 2006)

This is a bird of open country and cultivation, with bushes for nesting. The nest is built in low shrub or brambles, and 3-7 eggs are laid. Like most "warblers", it is insectivorous, but will also take berries and other soft fruit.

References

* Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern

* Helbig, A. J. (2001): Phylogeny and biogeography of the genus "Sylvia". "In:" Shirihai, Hadoram: "Sylvia warblers": 24-25Verify source|date=April 2007 . Princeton University Press, Princeton, N.J.. ISBN 0691088330

* Jønsson, Knud A. & Fjeldså, Jon (2006): A phylogenetic supertree of oscine passerine birds (Aves: Passeri). "Zool. Scripta" 35(2): 149–186. doi|:10.1111/j.1463-6409.2006.00221.x (HTML abstract)

External links

* [http://www.ibercajalav.net/img/372_WhitethroatScommunis.pdf Ageing and sexing (PDF) by Javier Blasco-Zumeta]
* [http://www.bsc-eoc.org/avibase/species.jsp?lang=EN&id=3CB22B05218D22C0&ts=1221723916479&sec=summary Avibase]


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Whitethroat — White throat , n. (Zo[ o]l.) Any one of several species of Old World warblers, esp. the common European species ({Sylvia cinerea}), called also {strawsmear}, {nettlebird}, {muff}, and {whitecap}, the {garden whitethroat}, or {golden warbler}… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • whitethroat — [hwīt′thrōt΄, wīt′thrōt΄] n. any of several birds having white around the throat; esp., certain Old World warblers (genus Sylvia) or the white throated sparrow …   English World dictionary

  • whitethroat — noun Date: 1676 any of several birds with white on the throat: as a. an Old World warbler (Sylvia communis) with rusty upper parts and largely pale buff underparts b. white throated sparrow …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • whitethroat — /hwuyt throht , wuyt /, n. 1. any of several small songbirds having white throats, esp. an Old World warbler, Sylvia communis. 2. See white throated sparrow. [1670 80; WHITE + THROAT] * * * ▪ bird       (Sylvia communis), typical Old World… …   Universalium

  • whitethroat — noun A species of typical warbler, scientific name Sylvia communis …   Wiktionary

  • whitethroat — noun a migratory warbler with a grey head and white throat. [Sylvia communis and related species.] …   English new terms dictionary

  • whitethroat — white•throat [[t]ˈ(h)waɪtˌθroʊt, ˈwaɪt [/t]] n. 1) orn any of several small songbirds having white throats, esp. an Old World warbler Sylvia communis[/ex] 2) orn white throated sparrow • Etymology: 1670–80 …   From formal English to slang

  • whitethroat — /ˈwaɪtθroʊt/ (say wuytthroht) noun 1. a small African and Eurasian songbird, Sylvia communis, reddish brown above, with white throat, and distinguishable from its closest allies by the white marks on its outer tail feathers. 2. any of several… …  

  • whitethroat — n. a warbler, Sylvia communis, with a white patch on the throat …   Useful english dictionary

  • garden whitethroat — Whitethroat White throat , n. (Zo[ o]l.) Any one of several species of Old World warblers, esp. the common European species ({Sylvia cinerea}), called also {strawsmear}, {nettlebird}, {muff}, and {whitecap}, the {garden whitethroat}, or {golden… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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