EUROPEAN REED AND MARSH WARBLERS IN AFRICA: MIGRATION PATTERNS, MOULT AND HABITAT

Summary

Dowsett-Lemaire, F. & Dowsett, R. J. 1987. European Reed and Marsh Warblers in Africa: migration patterns, moult and habitat. Ostrich 58:65-85.

European Reed Warblers Acrocephalus scirpaceus enter Africa along two routes: most of the western populations are channelled through northwest Africa in autumn and water across West Africa as far east as Nigeria; some central populations of nominate scirpaceus and birds of the eastern race fuscus migrate through northeast Africa, and winter in central and eastern Africa. Some birds stop over in northeast Africa and moult before arrival in winter quarters. Spring passage can take place across the central Sahara.

All populations of European Marsh Warblers Acrocephalus palustris migrate southeastwards through the Middle East and northeast Africa. They reach the Red Sea coast in August-September, then to four months in poorly located autumn quarters before resuming southward migration on a narrow front—almost entirely through eastern Kenya. A complete moult takes place in the winter quarters in southeastern Africa.

Both species inhabit dense green scrub or thickets with rank grass, but are largely allopatric. A. scirpaceus may locally prefer pure stands of tall rank grass; in the dry Sahel, it is also recorded from marshes. The winter habitat of A. palustris is somewhat similar to that in summer, but overall the herbaceous cover is less important for food and shelter.

Individual duration of moult, weight changes during migration and in winter, and site fidelity are also reviewed.