Whitethroat
Whitethroat, (Sylvia communis), typical Old World warbler of the family Sylviidae (order Passeriformes); it breeds in western Eurasia and northwestern Africa and winters in Africa and India. It is 14 cm (5 1/2 inches) long, with red-brown wing patches and longish white-edged tail; the male is gray-capped and white-throated. It sings beautifully from dawn until dusk in woodland border and hedgerows.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.
Citation Information
Article Title:
Whitethroat
Website Name:
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher:
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published:
13 November 2026
Access Date:
November 13, 2026