Locustella luscinioides has a widespread but patchy breeding distribution in Europe, which constitutes >50% of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population is large (>530,000 pairs), and was stable between 1970-1990. Although there were declines in some marginal populations during 1990-2000, key populations in the core of the breeding range-notably in Romania-were stable, and the species probably remained stable overall.

Breeds in west Palearctic lowlands across middle and lower middle latitudes, in ample and unbroken cover of swamps, wetlands, floodlands, and inundated fringes of fresh or brackish surface waters, including sometimes fairly deep lakes and rivers, nest-site being usually approachable only by wading. List of suitable vegetation as follows: more or less extensive stands of reed, reedmace, fen sedge, bur-reed, sedge, or club-rush, often flanked by willows, alder, and other moisture-loving trees and shrubs.

Breeds May-July in West and Central Europe, mid April in South Europe. Nest site i built in tall, aquatic or semi-aquatic vegetation over swampy ground or water. Nest, well concealed cup with outer layers loosely constructed of dead water-plant leaves and inner section often more tightly woven from grass stems. Iner cup of finer leaves and fibres. 3-4 eggs are laid, incubation 10-12 days, by both sexes.

Mainly adult and larval arthropods, also snails. Feeds mainly low in dense vegetation, taking food also from water surface and from ground. When feeding on ground either walks relatively slowly and deliberated or hops, picking items from ground and stems.

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 1,100,000-1,600,000 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.

All populations migratory. Wintering grounds not well known, but apparently lie in sub-Saharan Africa north of forest zone, extending (perhaps discontinuously) from Sénégal to Eritrea. West European birds apparently head south or south-west in autumn (reverse in spring), central and east European birds south-east towards Levant, and Asian birds south-west.

article number 1 Title
Seasonal and diel budgets of song: a study of Savi's warbler ( Locustella luscinioides)
Author(s): B. Kloubec, M. Capek
Abstract: Seasonal and diel patterns of singing activity of Savi's warblers (Locustella luscinioides) were studied in two areas of Central Europe 300 km apart, over a period of 18 years. We assessed about 4,600..[more]..
Source: J Ornithol (2005) 146: 206-214
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