Madagascar swamp warbler

The Madagascar swamp warbler is a species of Old World warbler in the family Acrocephalidae. It is found only in Madagascar. Its natural habitat is swamps.

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Distribution

Region

Madagascar (Western Indian Ocean)

Typical Environment

Occurs widely in freshwater wetlands across Madagascar, including swamps, marshes, reedbeds, and sedge-dominated flats. It favors stands of Typha and Phragmites along lake and pond margins, as well as slow-flowing canals and flooded rice fields. The species keeps low in dense cover but will ascend reed stems to sing. It is largely absent from saline mangroves and very arid coastal flats.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 1500 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size13–15 cm

Wing Span18–22 cm

Male Weight0.015 kg

Female Weight0.014 kg

Life Expectancy5 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

The Madagascar swamp warbler is a skulking reedbed specialist that stays close to dense emergent vegetation. It readily occupies human-modified wetlands such as rice paddies and irrigation ditches. Its song is a lively, scratchy warble delivered from exposed reed tops, especially at dawn. Despite its localized range on Madagascar, it adapts well to a variety of freshwater marsh habitats.

Gallery

Behaviour

Temperament

secretive and skulking

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats with low, fluttering flights between reed clumps

Social Behavior

Typically seen singly or in pairs, holding small territories in dense emergent vegetation. Monogamous pairs weave deep cup nests from grasses and reed blades, suspended between vertical stems just above water. Clutches usually contain 2–4 eggs, and both parents participate in feeding the young.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

A brisk, scratchy warble with chattering phrases, often delivered from exposed reed tops. Calls include dry tacs and low churring notes given from cover. Song is most frequent at dawn and dusk.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

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