Small bird (approx 13 cm or 5 in). Rufous upperparts with dark stripes. Pale underparts, slightly darker tones in flanks and breast. White throat and a very marked white eyebrow on the brown head (cheeks, forehead and crown).
Wetlands
Species linked to wetlands in warm areas with abundant marsh vegetation on the external border. It requires stable levels of fresh, clean, good quality water and partially flooded riparian vegetation.
Wintering bird in Malaga that can also be watched during its migratory passage in the province. Very territorial. It breeds between April and July. Nest in marshy vegetation, on the sheet of water. One laying of 3 to 6 eggs. Breeding populations very localized in the east of Spain, the Balearic Islands and Morocco. It forages among the riparian vegetation at water level: insects, small beetles and molluscs above all. Very discreet.
Very rare and exceptional species in the province and difficult to detect. It is watched almost every winter in freshwater courses near the coast, for example in the Guadalhorce or Guadalmansa rivers.
The Moustached Warbler or, rather, the "black-bearded" ("melanopogon") warbler neither has a black beard, nor does it have a moustachial stripe. What it does present are dark cheeks, very marked between the throat and a wide eyebrow, both of light colours.
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