Common Whitethroat
Curruca communis
It is often called the 'Nettle-creeper' because of its habit of nesting in thickets of stinging nettles for protection.
- Scientific name
- Curruca communis
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Passeriformes › Sylviidae › Curruca
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- grassland
- Habitat
- Open country with bushes, hedgerows, and scrubland.
- Diet
- Insects, spiders, and larvae during breeding; berries and small fruits in autumn.
- Range
- Europe, Western Asia, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa
- Size
- 14 cm length, 12-18 g weight
- Lifespan
- 2-5 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Loss of hedgerows due to intensive agriculture and severe droughts in African wintering grounds.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless and shy. Observe from a distance of at least 5 meters using binoculars to avoid disturbing its nesting or foraging. If you find a grounded chick, leave it alone as parents are likely nearby; if injured, contact a wildlife rescue.
The common whitethroat or greater whitethroat ( Curruca communis ) is a common and widespread typical warbler which breeds throughout Europe and across much of temperate western Asia. This small passerine bird is strongly migratory, and winters in tropical Africa, Arabia, and Pakistan.
Photo: Nigel Voaden, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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