Sylvia conspicillata is a widespread summer visitor to southern Europe, which accounts for less than half of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population is large (>180,000 pairs), and was stable between 1970-1990. Trend data were not available for several countries during 1990-2000-including the stronghold population in Spain-but there was no evidence to suggest that the species's status deteriorated significantly.

Breeds in lower middle latitudes of west Palearctic, principally in Mediterranean zone, in warm dry lowlands and hilly country. Feeds in short vegetation, along rough stone walls and on ground, flying only low, except early in breeding season. Vegetation on rock outcrops consists of coarse grasses, thistles, small shrubs, prickly pear, and stunted trees.

Breeds mar-June in Malta, mid March to late June in North Africa, March-May in Canary Islands. Nest site is built in low, dense vegetation, matted grass, tussocks, small shrubs, thistles, etc, usually from ground level to 1,5 m. Nest, neat but loosely constructed deep cup of dried grass stems, rootlets, and leaves, often including rag, wool, cobwebs, and paper. 3-5 eggs are laid, incubated for 12-13 dyas, young fledge after 11-12 days.

Mainly invertebrates but recorded taking fruit in spring and autumn. Invertebrates taken include grasshoppers, larval Lepidoptera, flies, Hymenoptera, small beetles, and spiders, also insect eggs. Fruit includes berries of blackberry, mulberry and Myoporum.

This species has a large range, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 100,000-1,000,000 km². It has a large global population, including an estimated 350,000-880,000 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 migratory to sedentary in different parts of range. Chiefly migratory in southern France, with a few remaining to winter in Camargue; some winter in Murcia (south-east Spain), but migratory elsewhere in Iberia and apparently exclusively a summer visitor to Corsica, Sardinia, and mainland Italy. Some winter sporadically on islands off Italy. Resident on Malta and Cyprus. In north-west Africa, present all year, but some breeding areas entirely vacated. Probably only a minority go beyond northern edge of Sahara. Passage movements inconspicuous within Europe and across African coast, presumably due to relatively low numbers as well as to overflying; no evidence of concentrations. Destination and distance of movement of individual populations little known.

article number 1 Title
Spring migration of the Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin) across the Mediterranean Sea
Author(s): Alessandra Grattarola, Fernando Spina and Andrea Pilastro
Abstract: Information concerning the strategy adopted by passerine migrants in crossing ecological barriers is still scant, especially as far as spring migration is concerned. With the aim of investigating th..[more]..
Source: J. Ornithol. 140, 41%430 (1999)
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