SPECIES PROFILE
ALTHOUGH similar-sized birds to warblers, such as small flycatchers, babblers, chats and zosterops, have been popular with foreign birdkeepers, the large family of Old World Sylviid warblers has had less prominence in aviculture. For one thing, recent taxonomic revision has slimmed this family down to a third of its former size. Moreover, many species are similar, with sombre plumage, and have been subject to the assumption that they are dependent on small insects.
The vocalisations of some warblers are mixtures of warbling and buzzing. But “warbler”, meaning “singer”, is not a misnomer and many do have beautiful, captivating voices. During the 19th century, that soprano of warblers, the blackcap, was one of the most popular cage birds in Europe. The reed, marsh and other warblers are have been found to include samples of 76 species of birds and these warblers were once housed alongside nightingales in order to learn their songs.
