Acrocephalidae – Reed warblers & allies

The family of large warblers

These difficult-to-identifying unspectacular warblers with plain brown and olive shades, faint eye-line, yellowish-beige underparts, and patterns on the back are a challenge for birders.

Acrocephalid habitat can be open woodland, marshes dominated by reeds, tall grasses, or dry scrub and forests; habitat is not the defining criteria for this family. The insects are Acrocephalid’s main diet fruits, and small aquatic animals are added to some species.

Their nests are cup-shaped, constructed of grasses and reeds, and lined with finer feathers. Most species are monogamous, one is a cooperative breeder, and few are polygynous.

The phylogenetic studies played a crucial role in the classification of this family.