The Icterine Warbler, Hippolais icterina, presents itself as a rather large warbler, boasting a substantial head and a broad-based bill. Its wings are long, complementing a somewhat short, square-ended tail. The bird's upperparts are adorned with a greyish-green hue, while the underparts are a consistent light yellow. A pale eye ring encircles its eye, and it sports pale lores alongside a somewhat indistinct yellowish supercilium.
Upon closer inspection, one may note a distinctive panel on the folded wings, created by pale edges to the secondary and tertiary feathers. The legs of the Icterine Warbler are grey, occasionally with a bluish tinge, which may serve as an additional identifying feature.
The Icterine Warbler shows a preference for woodland edges or glades over dense forests, often found in the crowns of well-spaced trees accompanied by tall undergrowth. It has an affinity for broad-leafed trees, though it does not shy away from coniferous environments if mixed with broad-leafed species. This bird can also be observed in orchards, parks, gardens, shelterbelts, and tall hedges that are interspersed with trees.
This warbler's breeding range is quite extensive, spanning from northern France and Norway across northern and eastern Europe, reaching as far south as the northern Balkans and Crimea mountains, and eastwards to the River Ob. While it has been known to breed in Scotland and is typically a passage migrant in Great Britain and Ireland, recent records include sightings in Gambell, Alaska.
%2030-gigapixel-scale-1_4x.jpg){kind=tracking}