Acrocephalus scirpaceus
The reed warbler is the ubiquitous voice of the Danube Delta during the summer. Although he has a modest appearance, he is a master of balance, living his entire life among the vertical canes. It is also the preferred host species of the cuckoo in the Danube Delta, often being seen feeding a cuckoo chick much larger than itself.
It is a small bird with uniform brown-brown plumage on the back and whitish-cream on the abdomen. It has no obvious facial features (poorly defined eyebrow), which distinguishes it from the lacquer hawk. The beak is long and sharp, ideal for picking insects from among reed leaves.
It is strictly related to the reeds that grow directly in the water. In the Delta, it occupies huge areas along the canals and on the edges of the lakes. It arrives in April and leaves in September for sub-Saharan Africa.
Further details to be added.
The nest is a masterpiece of engineering: a deep cup woven around 3-4 reed stalks, suspended above the water. It is built so that it can slide on the stems if the water level rises or if the reeds develop. The chicks leave the nest after 10-12 days.
It is classified as "Non-threatened". The Danube Delta is probably home to one of the largest populations of reed bream in Europe. The main threat is the cutting or burning of reeds during the nesting period.
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