Sylvia melanocephala is a widespread breeder in southern Europe, which constitutes >50% of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population is very large (>3,100,000 pairs), and increased between 1970-1990. Populations were stable or increased across most of its range during 1990-2000, although the trend of the sizeable Spanish population was unknown-but there was no evidence to suggest that the species's status deteriorated significantly.

Breeds in Mediterranean zone. Mainly in dry coastal regions and on islands, generally at low elevations. Equally at home in crowns of close-growing trees, tall undergrowth or maquis away from trees, low shrubs and garigue, or even in herb layer or on ground, not excluding bare rocks and clifftops. Indifferent to nearness of dwellings and human activities.

Breeds mid March to late April in South-West Europe, mid February to mid July in Malta, Late April to mid June in Greece, and early April to early June in North-West Africa. Nest site located in low scrub, tall grasses, brambles, etc, up tp 1,8 m above ground. Nest is a compact cup of grass leaves and stems, plant stalks, vegetable down, and cobwebs, lined with finer grasses and some rootlers, usually with distinct thicker rim. 3-5 eggs are laid, incubation 12-15 days, by both sexes, but female sitting on average twice as long as male during day.

Chiefly insects, but also fruit in autumn and winter. In south of breeding range, fruit predominates in diet for much of the year. Feeds mainly in low scrub but also on ground and in canopy. Spends less time on ground than Marmora's Warbler but much more than and other warbler.

This species has a large range, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 1,000,000-10,000,000 km². It has a large global population, including an estimated 6,300,000-16,000,000 individuals in Europe (BirdLife International in prep.). Global population trends have not been quantified, but the species is not believed to approach the thresholds for the population decline criterion of the IUCN Red List (i.e. declining more than 30% in ten years or three generations). For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Least Concern.

Varies from partially migratory to sedentary in different parts of range. In west of range, winter quarters include most of breeding range, extending south in Africa to c. 17°N. In east of range, breeding grounds furthest north (Yugoslavia, Bulgaria and northern Turkey) apparently entirely vacated. Autumn movements span late August to December. Spring migration mostly late February or early March to April.

article number 1 Title
Home range and territory of the Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala in Mediterranean shrubland
Author(s): JOSEP M. BAS, PERE PONS and CRISANTO GOMEZ
Abstract: Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala is the commonest Sylvia warbler in shrubland with a Mediterranean climate with mild winters (Shirihai et al. 2001). It uses a wide range of habitats, such as scr..[more]..
Source: Bird Study (2005) 52, 137-144
download full text (pdf)