Bird Description

Very common in marshy and bushy areas. Often in hedges and weedy fields on migration. Sneaks around giving its sneezy little call. A loud song for such a small bird, a distinctive 'witchety witchety witchety,' usually given from the top of a bush or reed. Usually well hidden, rarely going much above head height. Though often hard to see, it is not so shy as many birds and is reluctant to fly off, perhaps in part because it is a weak flyer with short wings, and drags its tail behind, often tilted down. It never goes far. ID: Fat-bellied little bird with a short neck but a longish spiky tail, a distinctive shape! Importantly, all birds have yellow throats and undertail coverts contrasting with dull breast and belly, a unique combination. Ad ?: striking black mask bordered above by gray. Ad ?: olive-faced. 1st-yr ?: initially like female, black flecks molted in through fall. 1st-yr ?: drabber and paler yellow.