The lesser whitethroat is a medium-sized warbler of dense scrub and woodland edges that arrives in the UK in April. It is a secretive bird, so is most easily located by its rattling, monotonous song. Lesser whitethroats winter in Africa; they leave our shores in September and head east around the Mediterranean, rather than through Gibraltar like most of our migrating birds.
How to identify
Male and female lesser whitethroats are very similar. They are greyish-brown above and creamy-grey below, with grey heads, dark grey cheeks or 'masks', white throats and white chests. Lesser whitethroats are smaller than whitethroats, and have shorter tails and plain-coloured wing edges.
Did you know?
Lesser whitethroats spend the winter in Africa, Arabia and India.
