This passerinebird is a species found in low vegetation such as long grass, reeds and rice. 4-5 eggs are laid in a nest in grass.
At 12-13.5 cm length, Paddyfield is smaller than Reed Warbler. The adult has an unstreaked pale brown back and buff underparts, with a warm brown rump. There is a clearer whitish supercilium and the bill is short and pointed. The sexes are identical, as with most warblers, but young birds are richer buff below. Like most warblers, it is insectivorous.
The song is fast and similar to Marsh Warbler, with much mimicry and typically acrocephaline whistles added. Its song is weaker and more rhythmic than that of its relative.
The bird was discovered by Dave Allan and initially it was through to be one of Booted, Sykes or Olivaceous Warbler because the tail shape appeared square (a characteristic of the Hippolais genus of warblers, to which these all belong).
Paddyfieldwarblers are native to southern Asia and parts of the Middle East, and are very rare vagrants to Britain.
They share similar habitats to Reed Warblers - This bird was the first to be identified on mainland Scotland although the species has previously been seen in Shetland.
Heavy, medium-sized warbler with uniform olive-brown upperparts, creamy under-parts, buffy wash on sides of breast and flanks, white throat, and light line from eye to base of bill.
It can be confused with the Reed Warbler, but is greyer on the back, the forehead is less flattened and the bill is less strong and pointed.
The reasons for the population decline of this species are not completely understood, but the fragmentation of habitat has been discussed in UK official documents of it Biodiversity Action Plan, a national program for protection of this declining species.
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