Sardinian Warbler

Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • France

Bird name: Sardinian Warbler
Latin: Sylvia melanocephala
Other: Fauvette Mélanocéphale (Fr) • Curruca cabecinegra (Es) • Occhiocotto (It) • Toutinegra-de-cabeça-preta (Pt)
Family: Sylviidae • Warblers
Range: Mediterranean rim: France, Italy, Portugal, Turkey, N Africa etc
Similar: Blackcap, other warblers

The Sardinian Warbler is resident in the south of France all year round. Fairly widespread - even seen in Monaco.

The bright red eye-ring is the key distinguishing mark. Males (above) have well-defined black caps which extend below the eye and females (below) are browner and duller.

Below, female Sardinian Warbler, France, February.