Eurasian Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus breeds from Western Europe to Central Asia, with fuscus in northern Xinjiang. Winters in sub-Saharan Africa. Breeds among tall reeds, upon which it climbs nimbly. Separated with difficulty from Blyth’s reed warbler. Has dull creamy supercilium, most distinct in front of eye, and a brownish eye-stripe. Crown and upperparts olive-brown, with rufous tinge to rump and uppertail coverts. Underparts creamy white, throat and chin cleaner white; flanks buff. Bill brown above, yellow below; feet grey-brown. Song distinct from that of Blyth’s, being simpler, softer, and slower-paced. Blyth’s also is much more arboreal, has short, blunt wings, and lacks a rufous tinge to rump and uppertail coverts. — Craig Brelsford
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Daniel Bengtsson served as chief ornithological consultant for Craig Brelsford’s Photographic Field Guide to the Birds of China, from which this species description is drawn.
