Locustella certhiola (Pallas, 1811)

Size Classification

Locustella certhiola is a medium-sized warbler.

Adult Plumage

Adult individuals have a streaked brown back, whitish grey underparts that are unstreaked except on the undertail.

Sexual and Juvenile Appearance

Like most warblers, the sexes are identical in appearance, while young birds are yellower on their underparts.

Diet

This species is insectivorous, as most warblers are.

Similar Species Comparison

It is very similar to the common grasshopper warbler, but is slightly larger, has white tips on its tail and tertial feathers, and a warmer brown rump.

Colloquial Name Origin

These white tail and tertial tips give the species its colloquial mnemonic name of "PG Tips".

Visibility Trait

This is a skulking species that is very hard to see, only occasionally visible when singing.

Locomotion

It creeps through grass and low foliage.

Habitat

As a small passerine bird, it inhabits tall grass with thicker vegetation, typically located near water in bogs or wet meadows.

Reproduction

It lays a clutch of 4 to 7 eggs in a nest built on the ground within grass.

Vagrant Range

This species is a very rare vagrant to western Europe.

Vagrant Observation Site

One of the best sites to see this skulking species as a vagrant is Fair Isle, Shetland; even though it only rarely occurs in western Europe, it can be found there with some regularity.