Common whitethroat

The common whitethroat is a familiar sight across Europe and parts of western Asia, known for its migratory journey to tropical Africa, Arabia, and Pakistan during the winter months. This small bird, part of the passerine family, exhibits distinct appearances for males and females. Males boast a grey head and a white throat, while females have a less striking look, lacking the grey head and possessing a duller throat.

One of the standout characteristics of the common whitethroat is its fast, scratchy song with a scolding tone. Although it might be confused with the lesser whitethroat, the two species are not closely related.

These birds thrive in open countryside and cultivated areas with plenty of bushes, which they use for nesting. Their diet mainly consists of insects, but they also enjoy berries and soft fruits.

Interestingly, common whitethroats in Europe adopt different moulting and pre-migratory strategies depending on the availability of food before they set off for their breeding and non-breeding grounds. The bird's scientific name, Sylvia communis, has an enchanting origin: "Sylvia" refers to a woodland sprite, and "communis" means "common" in Latin. An older name for the species is Sylvia cinerea.