The Manchurian reed warbler, also known as the Manchurian reed-warbler, is a species of marsh-warbler. It was formerly included in the "Old World warbler" assemblage, and was usually treated as a subspecies of the paddyfield warbler. It is found in Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Laos, Russia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and possibly Myanmar. Its natural habitat is swamps. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Region
East Asia to Mainland Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Breeds locally in northeastern China and adjacent southeastern Russia (Amur–Ussuri region), then migrates through eastern China. Winters in Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Peninsular Malaysia, with records in Hong Kong and possibly Myanmar. It favors extensive reedbeds and sedge marshes in lowland floodplains, river deltas, and coastal lagoons, and also uses rice paddies and wet ditches during passage. The species is patchy and localized wherever suitable tall emergent vegetation stands in shallow water.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 600 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Once treated as a subspecies of the paddyfield warbler, the Manchurian reed warbler is now recognized as a distinct species tied closely to dense reed and sedge marshes. It breeds in northeastern China and adjacent Russia and winters across mainland Southeast Asia. Ongoing drainage and conversion of wetlands are its main threats. It can be difficult to detect, often keeping low and singing from deep cover.
Temperament
secretive and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low over reeds
Social Behavior
Typically solitary or in pairs during the breeding season. Builds a deep, suspended cup nest anchored to reed stems above water. Clutch size is small, and both parents feed the nestlings. Outside the breeding season it may join loose, mixed-species flocks in dense marsh vegetation.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
A fast, chattering warble with scratchy phrases, rattles, and occasional mimicry. Often delivered from concealed perches at dawn and dusk, with short bursts between longer bouts of silence.
Plumage
Warm brown upperparts with slightly paler edges, buffy to whitish underparts, and a clean pale throat; often shows faint crown streaking. The upperparts are plain to subtly streaked and the underparts are smooth with a buff wash on the flanks.
Diet
Primarily small insects such as beetles, flies, moths, and their larvae, along with spiders and other arthropods. It gleans prey from reed stems and leaves, probes into seed heads, and occasionally hover-gleans. During migration and winter it may take small aquatic invertebrates and rarely seeds.
Preferred Environment
Feeds within dense stands of Phragmites, Typha, and sedges over shallow water. Uses the edges of rice fields, irrigation ditches, and flooded grasslands during passage and on wintering grounds.
