Subalpine Warbler
Scientific Name: Sylvia cantillansMaltese Name: Bufula Passajra
Family: Warblers and Allies (Sylviidae)
Occurence: Regular
Breeds in Malta: No
Overview:
The Subalpine Warbler is a typical Mediterranean warbler inhabiting areas with aromatic shrubs and bushes. The male has a blue-grey head and back with a red breast. It has a distinctive red eye-ring with a bold white stripe on its cheek. Females are much paler. Males are easy and straight forward to identify while with females, caution should be taken. It has a sharp "tet tet tet" call which is quickly repeated. It forages in low scrub and low trees in search of insects. Breeds throughout the Mediterranean region and winters south of the Sahara Desert in Africa.
Status:
Regular Spring and Autumn migrant.
When to See:
Spring; early March until beginning of May. The Subalpine Warbler is one of the first autumn migrants to make an appearance as early as July, and it is recorded until beginning of October.
Where to See:
Prefers open fields and valleys, with some scattered trees but can be seen in a wide range of habitats. Buskett is one of the best sites to see this Mediterranean bird.
Photographs:
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Male Subalpine Warbler, Ghadira Nature Reserve |
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| Male Subalpine Warbler, Dwejra (Malta) | Male Subalpine Warbler, Cirkewwa |
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Male Subalpine Warbler, Ghadira Nature Reserve |
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| Juvenile Subalpine Warbler (autumn), Buskett | Partial Albino Subalpine Warbler, Dwejra Gozo, 29th March 1989 |
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Partial Albino Subalpine Warbler & Male Subalpine Warbler, Dwejra Gozo, 29th March 1989 |
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