Olive-tree warbler

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Olive-tree warbler
Olive-tree warbler, Hippolais olivetorum, at Mkuze Game Reserve, (39230388474).jpg
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Acrocephalidae
Genus: Hippolais
Species:
H. olivetorum
Binomial name
Hippolais olivetorum
Strickland, 1837
Hippolais olivetorum distribution map.png
Distribution of Olive-tree Warbler
  Summer resident (Breeding)
  Winter visitor

The olive-tree warbler (Hippolais olivetorum) is an Old World warbler in the tree warbler genus Hippolais. It breeds in southeast Europe and the Near East. It is migratory, wintering in eastern and southern Africa, from Kenya south to South Africa.

This small passerine bird is a species found in open-canopy oakwoods, olive groves, orchards and almond plantations. Three or four eggs are laid in a nest in a low tree or a bush.

This is a medium-sized warbler, similar to in size to the barred warbler, with a slightly longer bill and shorter tail. It is the largest Hippolais warbler, with a heavy bill, rather flat crown, long wings, and heavy legs. The adult has a dusty- or brownish-grey back and wings, and dusty-white underparts.

It feeds on invertebrates. Its song is a succession of loud creaks and squawks, lower in pitch than other Hippolais warblers, and slower in delivery.

Eggs, Collection MHNT Hippolais olivetorum MHNT ZOO 2010 11 201 Attique.jpg
Eggs, Collection MHNT

The genus name Hippolais is from Ancient Greek hupolais, as misspelt by Linnaeus. It referred to a small bird mentioned by Aristotle and others and may be onomatopoeic or derived from hupo,"under", and laas, "stone". The specific olivetorum is Latin for "of the olive groves ". [2]

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References

  1. BirdLife International (2016). "Hippolais olivetorum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T22714908A87611501. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22714908A87611501.en . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. Jobling, James A (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London: Christopher Helm. pp.  192, 281. ISBN   978-1-4081-2501-4.