Streaked reed warbler
The speckled reed warbler or streaked reed warbler (Acrocephalus sorghophilus ) is an Old World warbler in the family Acrocephalidae. The species was first described by Robert Swinhoe in 1863.
It is found in China and the Philippines. Its natural habitats are swamps and arable land. It is threatened by habitat loss, particularly wetland loss in its wintering area of Candaba Swamp.
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
Oviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
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MigratingAnimal migration is the relatively long-distance movement of individual animals, usually on a seasonal basis. It is the most common form of migrati...
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starts withEBird describes the bird as "A mysterious and secretive reed warbler; formerly fairly common but now increasingly rare and possibly near extinction. The only Asian reed warbler with a streaked crown and back. Adults bear a passing resemblance to the much more common Black-browed Reed Warbler but have prominent striping all along the back and crown, a less contrasting brow pattern, and are noticeably paler in color. Recorded in marshes and wet fields on passage and during the winter, but breeding grounds remain unknown. Gives a rattling, grating song akin to a Oriental Reed Warbler, but reportedly quieter."
On passage, it has been recorded in marshland and millet crops, and it occurs near the water in reed and grass marshes in the winter. It possibly uses willow scrub and reedbeds in its breeding range. It probably feeds largely on invertebrates and may consume seeds but more research is needed. Spring passage in China is from late May to early June, with autumn passage from late August to early September. All Philippine records are from September to June.
IUCN has assessed this bird as endangered with the population estimated at just 250 to 999 mature individuals and continuing to decline. This species' main threat is habitat loss with wholesale clearance of wetland habitats particularly the only known wintering ground in Candaba Swamp which has been converted into agricultural lands particularly for rice.
The Candaba Swamp is a Ramsar site however habitat conversion and hunting still continues.
Conservation actions proposed include to attempt to locate the breeding areas in China and Russia. Survey wetlands in the Philippines to try and locate further wintering sites; and initiate a new ringing programme at Dalton Pass and other migrant trapping locations. Investigate the potential for stable isotope analysis of museum specimens could identify areas in where the species breeds. List it as a protected species in China.
