Cetti's warbler

    Cettia cetti

Castilian: Ruiseñor bastardo

Catalan: Rossinyol bord

Gallego: Rousinol bravo

Euskera: Errekatxindorra

CLASIFICACIÓN:

Orden: Passeriformes

Family: Sylviidae

Migratory status: Permanent resident

CONSERVATION STATUS:

On the National List of Threatened Species, it appears in the “Of Special Interest” category. In the 2004 edition of the Red Book of Spanish Birds (Libro Rojo de las Aves de España) it is listed as “Not Evaluated”.

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THREATS

Because of its wide distribution in Spain, it is not in danger, but it is affected by the degradation of riparian vegetation (due to canalisations, dredging, fires, etc.) and adverse climate conditions.

Length / size: 13-14 cm / 15-19 cm

Identification: Small bird with a pudgy appearance. Its back is reddish-brown, its underparts greyish, its forehead pale, its auricular area greyish, and its bill very thin. Although it is difficult to see, it is easily identified by its loud song.

Song: It is a strong and easily recognisable song. It is an explosive series of metallic notes, a "coochie-coochie-coochie".

Diet: It primarily feeds on invertebrates and prefers insects, many of which are aquatic.

Reproduction: It begins in March and monogamous and polygamous pairs can be formed (one male with two or more females). The male builds the nest, a small bowl made of twigs and leaves interwoven and covered with feathers, which it places in the vegetation, at low heights. The female is responsible for incubation and caring for the chicks.

HABITAT

It moves into environments linked with water, normally riverside areas where it occupies meadows and wetlands with river vegetation. It is found from sea level up to an elevation of 1,200 metres.

DISTRIBUTION

In Spain: It is distributed more or less evenly throughout the entire peninsula, although it is scarce in the south of Extremadura and the southern and southeastern peninsular plateau, and it is not present in the Canary Islands or Melilla.

In Castile and León: It is distributed throughout all of the provinces, although the largest concentrations are found in central León, eastern Salamanca and southwestern Burgos.

Movements and migrations: It is a sedentary species, although females and juveniles usually make small movements in autumn toward warmer areas in the peninsula.

POPULATION

In Spain: There is an estimated population of at least 100000 breeding pairs.

In Castile and León: