Clamorous Reed Warbler

The clamorous reed warbler is a large, song-thrush-sized reed warbler, 18 to 20 cm long, breeding from Egypt east through Pakistan, Afghanistan and northernmost India to south China and southeast Asia. The adult has an unstreaked brown back, whitish underparts, a flattened forehead and a strong, pointed bill, and the sexes look alike. It is very like the great reed warbler, but that species has richer coloured underparts (Wikipedia, general species account).

Nine subspecies are recognised, and meridionalis of south India and Sri Lanka is the endemic Sri Lankan race and the darkest form. It is insectivorous but takes other small prey, and its song is loud and far-carrying but less raucous than the great reed warbler's. Nationally Near Threatened (Sri Lanka National Red List 2012).