On this page

The books on this page are about old-world warblers. These birds were once all classified as members of the family Sylviidae but recent research has led to reclassification with many species now assigned to different families.

The books are listed in order of publication date with the most recent at the top.

Warblers

Cetti's Warbler
Cettia cetti

Icterine Warbler
Hippolais icterina

Dartford Warbler
Sylvia undata

Barred Warbler
Sylvia nisoria

Lesser Whitethroat
Sylvia curruca

Common Whitethroat
Sylvia communis

Garden Warbler
Sylvia borin

Blackcap
Sylvia atricapilla

Wood Warbler
Phylloscopus sibilatrix

Common Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus collybita

Willow Warbler
Phylloscopus trochilus

Yellow-browed Warbler
Phylloscopus inornatus

Grasshopper Warbler
Locustella naevia

Savi's Warbler
Locustella luscinioides

Aquatic Warbler
Acrocephalus paludicola

Sedge Warbler
Acrocephalus schoenobaenus

Marsh Warbler
Acrocephalus palustris

Reed Warbler
Acrocephalus scirpaceus

Goldcrest
Regulus regulus

Firecrest
Regulus ignicapillus

Rare UK visitors

Olive-tree Warbler
Hippolais olivetorum

Eastern Olivaceous Warbler
Iduna pallida

Booted Warbler
Iduna caligata

Syke's Warbler
Iduna rama

Melodious Warbler
Hippolais polyglotta

Marmora's Warbler
Sylvia sarda

Spectacled Warbler
Sylvia conspicillata

Subalpine Warbler
Sylvia cantillans

Sardinian Warbler
Sylvia melanocephala

Rüppell's Warbler
Sylvia rueppelli

Desert Warbler
Sylvia nana

Orphean Warbler
Sylvia hortensis

Eastern Crowned Warbler
Phylloscopus coronatus

Greenish Warbler
Phylloscopus trochiloides

Arctic Warbler
Phylloscopus borealis

Pallas' Warbler
Phylloscopus proregulus

Hume's Warbler
Phylloscopus humei

Radde's Warbler
Phylloscopus schwarzi

Dusky Warbler
Phylloscopus fuscatus

Western Bonelli's Warbler
Phylloscopus bonelli

Eastern Bonelli's Warbler
Phylloscopus orientalis

Iberian Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus brehmii

Fan-tailed Warbler (Zitting Cisticola)
Cisticola juncidis

Pallas' Grasshoppper Warbler
Locustella certhiola

Lanceolated Warbler
Locustella lanceolata

River Warbler
Locustella fluviatilis

Moustached Warbler
Acrocephalus melanopogon

Paddyfield Warbler
Acrocephalus agricola

Blyth's Reed Warbler
Acrocephalus dumetorum

Great Reed Warbler
Acrocephalus arundinaceus

Thick-billed Warbler
Iduna aedon

Other warblers

There are over 400 old-world warblers, in at least 10 families. Continuing research will no doubt change the taxonomy in the near future.

Siberia's Sprite: A History of Fascination and Desire

Andrew Stoddart

"Through a unique combination of rarity value, great aesthetic appeal and enduring scientific interest, the Pallas's Warbler has for more than two centuries exercised the most remarkable hold on our collective imagination. Wherever our investigations or recreations have taken us, the Pallas’s Warbler has remained a constant presence and preoccupation. Featuring prominently in the Imperial pursuits of explorer naturalists, the exploits of collectors in Victorian Britain, the development of zoological nomenclature, the heyday of migration studies, the rise of recreational birdwatching, the development of bird illustration, the study of avian vagrancy and, now, today’s taxonomic upheavals, its story is central to, perhaps even synonymous with, much of our ornithological history. This book sets out to explore this history, to understand our lasting relationship with this tiny bird and its place in our fascinations and desires."

El Mosquitero Ibérico (The Iberian Chiffchaff)

Editor: Nacho Rodríguez Martínez, Javier García Fernández, José Luis Copete

Language: 11 papers in Spanish, 2 papers in English

Grupo Ibérico de Anillamiento

2013

A collection of papers summarising recent research primarily on the Iberian Chiffchaff.

The Reed Warblers: Diversity in a Uniform Bird Family

Leisler Bernd and Karl Schulze-Hagen

2011

"To the untrained eye, all reed warblers may look alike. Anyone who takes a closer look will quickly realize that there is in fact an amazing spectrum of different ecological and adaptive strategies across the world´s 53 species. Members of the reed warbler family have been models for this diversity in a large number of biological studies of avian lifestyles. Many of these have resulted in outstanding findings and set new standards in behavioural and evolutionary ecology. The authors rise to the challenge of determining how the members of the family have diversified by comparing their relationships and ecologies. This comparative approach runs like a thread throughout this book and touches on almost all biological aspects, ranging from habitat use, competition and communication to reproduction and brood parasitism, mating systems, migration, population dynamics, island life and convergent evolution. The life strategies of these ‘little brown jobs' exemplify some of the key topics in 21st century ornithology."

Reed And Bush Warblers

David Pearson and Peter Kennerley

Helm Identification Guides

Christopher Helm

2010

"This detailed and comprehensive identification guide follows in the mould of Sylvia Warblers and Pipits and Wagtails. It primarily covers the genera Acrocephalus, Locustella, Cettia and Bradypterus, together with a few smaller related genera. To the uninitiated, these are the archetypal 'little brown jobs' and as if they weren't hard enough to identify anyway, many of them are hard to see as well! This authoritative handbook covers their identification in breathtaking detail, illustrated with line drawings, sonograms, wonderful colour plates and photographs. It is destined to become the ultimate reference for these challenging birds."

Reed Warblers at Rostherne Mere: Working Today for Nature Tomorrow

M. Calvert

2005

An account of 30 year study of reed warblers at Rostherne Mere National Nature Reserve (NNR) undertaken by voluntary warden Malcolm Calvert.

Warbler Songs and Calls of Britain and Europe

Geoff Sample

2003

"A book and 3 CD set that provides an audio guide to the Warblers of Britain and Europe. The CDs contain high quality recordings of all the Warbler species that occur in Britain and Europe. The book explains how to interpret the sounds and make an accurate identification."

Phenology of Autumn Passage of Willow Warblers at Dungeness,1960-2000

J.H. Marchant and C.V. Wernham

2003

"This study investigates daily counts of passage Willow Warblers at Dungeness Bird Observatory for autumns from 1960 to 2000, and draws upon data from the British & Irish Bird Ringing Scheme, held by the BTO."

Sylvia Warblers: Identification, Taxonomy and Phylogeny of the Genus Sylvia

Hadoram Shirihai, Gabriel Gargallo and Andreas J. Helbig

Christopher Helm

2001

"Based on phylogenetic research, this complete study of the genus Sylvia describes two new species and establishes identification criteria for all members of the family. A lengthy introduction explains the background to the research and outlines the main features of the genus. The 25 species are then treated in detail, including the African parisomas, which are here included in the Sylva group. The species accounts include sections on every aspect of identification, with colour illustrations showing age, sex and racial differences, distribution maps, sonograms, moult and wing diagrams and tables."

Sylvia Warblers

Hadoram Shirihai, Gabriel Gargallo and Andreas J. Helbig

Photographic editing, field photography: David Cottridge

Editor: Guy M. Kirwan and Lars Svensson

Princeton University Press

2001

"The culmination of more than a decade of work, this is the most complete manual available on the large family of insectivorous passerines, the Old World warblers Sylviidae, native to Israel and other Mediterranean countries. The authors include detailed information on the phylogeny, distribution, ecology, appearance, and behavior of Sylvia warblers. They draw on tremendous experience and expertise to sort out the complex plumage variations of these notoriously stealthy birds, noting coloration changes by distribution, age, and sex. Attention is also given to the wide variation in song among Sylvia. The volume contains an incredible amount of original data, compiled from field studies and meticulous museum research. Importantly, the authors use a novel approach to systematics, resulting in the proposal of four new species splits. One of Europe's finest bird illustrators contributed the beautiful color plates, and a respected pioneer in field bird photography spent countless hours in desert conditions to obtain the 546 remarkable color photographs of these furtive warblers. No other book has provided such an abundance of detail for one genus of birds, nor the quality and number of illustrations showing individual and geographic variation. All this, combined with DNA information on systematic relationships, makes this book unique among modern identification guides. It is that rare guide that constitutes both a major contribution to ornithology and an excellent reference for birders. It marks a new stage in ornithological literature and will set the standard for future works."

Warblers of Europe, Asia and North Africa

Kevin Baker

1997

"This guide covers 145 species of Warblers, covering all aspects of identification. The text includes sections on moult, voice, habitat and behaviour, distribution and measurements. Colour plates and a distribution map are provided for all the species."

Warblers of Europe, Asia and North Africa

Kevin Baker

1997

"Warblers are the archetypal "little brown birds" that pose so many identification problems for birdwatchers. These problems are sometimes complicated by the fact that not all warblers are brown and small; some are brightly colored and relatively large. Jeff Baker helps novices and experts alike to steer away from such confusion in a unique book covering all old world warblers in Europe and Asia. The book describes in detail 145 species, including all aspects of identification and those species that are likely to be confused with one another. Sections on geographical variation, moult, voice, habitat and behavior, distribution, and measurements complete the guide, together with forty-eight color plates and numerous line drawings presenting every species and 140 color distribution maps showing breeding and wintering ranges. Very few books have covered Asia in such detail, and none until now has brought together all the warblers of Europe and Asia in one place. Groups and species such as prinias and tailor birds are described extensively as never before. Warblers of Europe and Asia also presents warblers new to science and brings us up to date on the latest thinking on taxonomic treatment."

The Blackcap

C.F Mason

Hamlyn

1994

"A study of the Blackcap which includes discussion of courtship and breeding, feeding, song, plumage and migration. Includes illustrations to aid identification."

The Chiffchaff

Peter Clement

Hamlyn

1994

"A description of the Chiffchaff which covers migration, distribution, lifestyle and behaviour, and gives advice on identification problems related to similar warblers."

The Birds of the Western Palearctic: Volume VI. Warblers

Executive Editor: Stanley Cramp and Duncan J Brooks

Illustrations: Alan Harris, Ian Lewington, DIM Wallace, and Dan Zetterstrom

Oxford University Press

1992

"The second of three volumes covering the passerines, containing descriptions of 64 species of warbler. Each breeding species is covered in full, with details of field characters, habitat, distribution, mortality, population, movements, food, behaviour, breeding, voice, plumages, moults, measurements, weights, structure, and geographical variation. Regular migrants and accidental species are covered in similar detail. There are maps showing breeding and wintering distribution. Each species is illustrated on colour plates, showing the full range of normal plumages, plus distant flight views. There are also colour plates of eggs, black and white illustrations, and text-figures showing special features, sonagrams and melograms, and annual cycles. Finally, there is a comprehensive bibliography and index."

A Cabinet of Reed-Warblers

L.M. Courtney-Haines

1992

"An monograph on the Australian species of reed-warbler, interspersed with personal anecdotes and observations. Part 1 covers the plain-coloured reed-warblers, part 2 the streaked reed-warblers and sedge-warblers. Also includes a full list of reed-warblers of the world, bibliography and references."

Guide to the Warblers of the Western Palearctic

Tim Parmenter

Bruce Coleman Books

1991

"A comprehensive field guide to all the warbler species of Europe, the Near East and Northern Asia. Each species is described in detail, with extensive information on plumage differences between sexes, through ageing, and in different seasons, plus complete descriptions of calls and songs. The colour plates illustrate every species, in a variety of plumages and are arranged for quick comparison between similar species."

The Blackcap And The Garden Warbler

Ernest Garcia

1989

"This book compares the habitats, distributions, diets, life histories and behaviour of the two species, emphasising the vigorous ways in which they interact. It describes the results of experimental studies into their song, migration and territorial behaviour and discusses the possible causes and consequences of their mutual intolerance."

British Warblers

Eric Simms

New Naturalist Series 71

1985

A 430 page study of British Warblers. Includes colour plates, black and white photographs and maps.

A Field Guide to the Warblers of Britain and Europe

Alick Moore

Oxford University Press

1983

"The warblers are notoriously difficult to identify. Fifty-three members of the Old World warblers (subfamily Sylviinae) breed or occur regularly or accidentally in the Western Palaearctic area, which includes Britain and Europe. This new field guide provides for each bird a full description of plumage at various ages and times of the year; details of distrubution; habitat preference, and song; and identification points to look for in the field, especially those that serve to distinguish similar species. Each bird is illustrated in colour and in line drawings. Distribution maps are included where relevant. A list of references to published information on warblers is given"

Identification for Ringers 1: The Genera Cettia, Locustella, Acrocephalus and Hippolais

Kenneth Williamson

Field Guide Number Seven

British Trust For Ornithology

Revised edition

1976

80 pages

Identification for Ringers 3: The Genus Sylvia

Kenneth Williamson

Field Guide Number Nine

British Trust For Ornithology

1964

71 pages.

Identification for Ringers 1: The Genera Cettia, Locustella, Acrocephalus and Hippolais

Kenneth Williamson

Field Guide Number Seven

British Trust For Ornithology

Revised edition

1963

76 pages with 8 b/w photographs.

Identification for Ringers 2: The Genus Phylloscopus

Kenneth Williamson

Field Guide Number Eight

British Trust For Ornithology

1962

60 pages.

Identification for Ringers 1: The Genera Locustella, Lusciniola, Acrocephalus and Hippolais

Kenneth Williamson

Field Guide Number Seven

British Trust For Ornithology

1960

56 pages.

A Systematic Review of the Genus Phylloscopus (Willow-Warblers or Leaf-Warblers)

Claude B. Ticehurst

1938

193 pages with 2 colour plates by Roland Green.

The British Warblers: A History With Problems Of Their Lives

H. Eliot Howard

R.H. Porter

1907-1914

Issued in 9 parts between 1907 and 1914.

Part 1: Sedge Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler

Part 2: Chiff-Chaff, Yellow-browed Warbler

Part 3: Blackcap, Pallas's Willow Warbler, Radde's Bush Warbler

Part 4: Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Greenish Willow Warbler, Siberian Chiff-Chaff

Part 5: Reed Warbler, Melodious Warbler

Part 6: Willow Warbler, Savi's Warbler, Rufous Warbler

Part 7: Marsh Warbler, Great Reed Warbler, Aquatic Warbler

Part 8: Garden Warbler, Barred Warbler, Subalpine Warbler, Wood Warbler

Part 9: Orphean Warbler, Dartford Warbler, Icterine Warbler, General Summary and Concluding Remarks, Table of measurements, Localities

Leaf-Warblers

H.E. Dresser

Educational Series No. 20

Society for the Protection of Birds

1890's

A 4 page guide that covers the Chiffchaff, Willow=Wren and Wood-Wren. Provides a brief description and information on distribution, numbers, food, characteristics, protection, plus one and a half pages of general remarks.

Catalogue Of The Passeriformes or Perching Birds In The Collection Of The British Museum

Catalogue Of The Birds In The British Museum, Volume V

Henry Seebohm

Printed By Order Of The Trustees

Printed by Taylor & Francis

1881

Preface:

"The Fifth Volume of the 'Catalogue of the Birds in the British Museum' contains an account of all the species of Warblers and Thrushes known at present; it has been prepared by Mr. H. Seebohm, whose special acquaintance with this group of Birds is probably unequalled. The total number of species described amounts to 344, of which no less than 303 are in the British Museum; they are represented by 2560 examples. Of the principal donors we have to mention the author himself, Capt. Stackhouse Pinwill, F. DuCane Godman and 0. Salvin, Esqrs., Lieut.-Col. Irby, Lord Lilford, and Canon Tristram. The frequent occurrence on the following pages of the name of B. H. Hodgson, Esq., is a testimony of the lasting value of the collections which he deposited in the Museum nearly forty years ago."

The British Warblers: An Account Of The Genus Sylvia

Robert Sweet

Published for the author by W. Simpkin And R. Marshall

1823