© Photo by Harry Hogg Whitethroat Sylvia Communis The Whitethroat is a medium-sized, long-tailed warbler of grassland, scrub and hedgerows. © Photo by Katrina Martin / 2020VISION It is a summer visitor and passage migrant, breeding in many areas but avoiding urban and mountainous places. Males Whitethroats build nests out of twigs and roots and the females then decide which to take. Whitethroats winter in Africa, leaving our shores in early October and heading as far south as South Africa. How to Identify Male Whitethroats are sandy-grey above, with orange fringes to the wing feathers, a pale grey head, pinkish-buff breast and bright white throat. Females are duller. They can be distinguished from the smaller, Lesser Whitethroat by the rusty brown edges to their wing feathers, pinky chest and longer tail. Where to find A widespread summer visitor. How People Can Help During the 1960s, Whitethroats sustained heavy losses as their wintering grounds in sub-Saharan Africa suffered major drought – breeding Whitethroats suffered a 90% drop in the UK. Numbers have not fully recovered yet, but are on the up. The Wildlife Trusts manage many grassland and woodland nature reserves sympathetically for Whitethroats and other bird species. You can help by supporting your local Trust and becoming a member; you’ll find out about exciting wildlife happenings, events on your doorstep and volunteering opportunities, and be helping local wildlife along the way. Did you know? Male Whitethroats arrive in the UK about 10 days earlier than females in order to set up territories before the females arrive. Key FactsLength: 14cmWingspan: 20cmWeight: 16gAverage lifespan: 2 years Donate Donate to help support Whitethroat and other wildlife. Donate Similar Species Barn Owl Birds Black-Headed Gull Birds Blackbird Birds Blackcap Birds Blue Tit Birds Bullfinch Birds Buzzard Birds Canada Goose Birds Carrion Crow Birds Chaffinch Birds Chiffchaff Birds Coal Tit Birds Collared Dove Birds Coot Birds Crossbill Birds Cuckoo Birds Curlew Birds Dipper Birds Dunnock Birds Fieldfare Birds Goldcrest Birds Golden Plover Birds Goldfinch Birds Goosander Birds Great Crested Grebe Birds Great Spotted Woodpecker Birds Great Tit Birds Greenfinch Birds Grey Heron Birds Grey Wagtail Birds Hen Harrier Birds Herring Gull Birds Hobby Birds House Martin Birds House Sparrow Birds Jackdaw Birds Jay Birds Kestrel Birds Kingfisher Birds Lapwing Birds Lesser Redpoll Birds Linnet Birds Little Egret Birds Little Grebe Birds Little Owl Birds Little Ringed Plover Birds Long-Eared Owl Birds Long-Tailed Tit Birds Magpie Birds Mallard Birds Mandarin Duck Birds Marsh Harrier Birds Meadow Pipit Birds Merlin Birds Mistle Thrush Birds Moorhen Birds Nightjar Birds Nuthatch Birds Osprey Birds Oystercatcher Birds Peregrine falcon Birds Pied Wagtail Birds Raven Birds Red Grouse Birds Red Kite Birds Redstart Birds Redwing Birds Reed Bunting Birds Reed Warbler Birds Ringed Plover Birds Robin Birds Rock Pipit Birds Rook Birds Sedge Warbler Birds Short-Eared Owl Birds Siskin Birds Skylark Birds Snipe Birds Song Thrush Birds Sparrowhawk Birds Spotted Flycatcher Birds Starling Birds Stonechat Birds Swallow Birds Swift Birds Tawny owl Birds Teal Birds Tree Sparrow Birds Treecreeper Birds Tufted Duck Birds Water Rail Birds Waxwing Birds Wheatear Birds Whimbrel Birds Whinchat Birds Wigeon Birds Willow Warbler Birds Wood Pigeon Birds Wood Warbler Birds Woodcock Birds Wren Birds Yellow Wagtail Birds Yellowhammer Birds