General
Aquatic Warbler: Small, marsh warbler with black and buff streaking on upperparts. Underparts buff and white with variable amount of fine streaking in adults. Face has pale lores. Wings and tail brown with black streaks. Bill grey with yellow lower mandible, legs and feet pink. Immatures lack streaking on underparts and have more yellowish coloration. Sexes have similar plumage.
Range and Habitat
Aquatic Warbler: Rare autumn visitor in areas of southern Britain. Stops off on its way between breeding grounds in eastern Europe and its winter home in West Africa. Found in thick vegetation close to the ground or water in coastal reedbeds along the southern coast.
Breeding and Nesting
Aquatic Warbler: Polygamous and polyandrous, with nestlings in a single nest sired by as many as five males. Nests are built from reeds and are often situated about a foot above marshy ground or in a clump of sedge in shallow water. Eggs may be incubated by both sexes and two clutches may be laid.
Foraging and Feeding
Aquatic Warbler: Feeds mostly on small invertebrates such as spiders, flies, caterpillars and grubs, which are picked off vegetation or taken in flight. Also eats berries. Diet varies seasonally based on availability. Often feeds from the ground.
Vocalisation
Aquatic Warbler: Not easily described. Roughly a somewhat monotonous "trrrrr-dew-dew-dew-churrrrr-di-di-di." Call is "tuk," "chuck," or "cher-cherr."
Similar Species
Aquatic Warbler: The Sedge Warbler has weaker black streaking on the mantle. It also has narrower striping of the upperparts.