Desert Whitethroat Sylvia minula, Small Whitethroat, Desert Lesser Whitethroat, Sylvia curruca minula

Desert Whitethroat Sylvia minula
(aka Small Whitethroat, Desert Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca minula)

Al Ain, Abu Dhabi

There is some debate about the systematics of this species. Some authorities such as Clements and HBW regard it as a species while Howard & Moore treat it as a sub-species of Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca minula).

It breeds from the Caspian Sea to China while it winters from the Arabian Peninsula to north-east India. It is found in deserts and steppes with thorny bushes or in sparse woodland.

It is very similar to Lesser Whitethroat S. curruca but is smaller with a shorter bill and a shorter primary projection. It is also paler with a slightly different voice.

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