Cyprus Warbler

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Cyprus Warbler
Conservation status
Least Concern
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Passeriformes Family: Sylviidae Genus: Sylvia Species: S. melanothorax
Binomial name
Sylvia melanothorax (Gmelin, 1789)

The Cyprus Warbler, Sylvia melanothorax, is an Old World warbler which breeds on Cyprus.

This small passerine bird is a short-distance migrant, and winters in Israel, Jordan and Egypt.

This is a bird of dry open country, often on hill slopes, with bushes for nesting. The nest is built in low shrub or gorse, and 3-5 eggs are laid.

Although most warblers have the sexes identical, several Sylvia species have distinct male and female plumages. The adult male is a small warbler with a grey back, black head, white moustaches, and, uniquely, underparts heavily streaked with black. The female is mainly grey above, with a greyer head, and whitish with only light spotting. Like most warblers, it is insectivorous, but will also take berries.

The Cyprus Warbler's song is fast and rattling, and is similar to that of the Sardinian Warbler.

[edit] References

• BirdLife International (2004). Sylvia melanothorax. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern