Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has an extremely large range and the population size is extremely large, hence does not approach threatened thresholds for the range or population size criteria. The population trend is not known, but the population is not believed to be decreasing sufficiently rapidly to approach the thresholds under the population trend criterion. For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Population justification
In Europe, the total population size is estimated at 749,000-1,310,000 mature individuals, with 374,000-652,000 breeding pairs (BirdLife International 2021), and comprises approximately 65% of the species' global range, so a very preliminary estimate of the global population size is between 1,150,000-2,020,000 mature individuals, although further validation of this estimate is desirable. Europe holds over half of the species' global range, but despite the data collated the population trend there is unknown (BirdLife International 2021).
Trend justification
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This species inhabits marshes, fens, lake edges and reedbeds over shallow water. In Russia, it also occupies tall grass and bushes along riverbanks, and reedy canals within sparse forest. Generally it is found in lowlands up to c. 630 m in central Europe. In the African non-breeding quarters the species occurs in marsh and swamp vegetation, reeds, reedmace (Typha) and rank grass, also rice fields, sugar cane, gardens and in thickets of Salvadora persica by springs (Pearson 2006). Egg-laying begins from late April in western and central Europe and from mid-April in southern Europe (Snow and Perrins 1998). The nest is a deep cup, loosely built from dead water-plant leaves and grass stems and lined with finer leaves and plant fibres. It is well concealed less than 50 cm above water or swampy ground in aquatic vegetation. Clutches are two to six eggs. It feeds principally on insects but also takes spiders (Araneae) and small molluscs. The species is migratory; the whole population migrates to Africa (Pearson 2006).
The species is well-known for short term population fluctuations. These probably result from habitat changes such as drainage and natural changes in water level as well as weather conditions in its African winter quarters (Hagemeijer and Blair 1997). Marsh habitats are vulnerable to human interference such as drainage, and natural changes such as water-level changes and vegetation succession (Pearson 2006). The species may also be vulnerable to future climate change (Maggini et al. 2014).
Conservation Actions Underway
CMS Appendix II. Bern Convention Appendix II. There are currently no known conservation measures for this species within Europe.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Due to the likely increase in dry periods as a result of climate change, wetland habitats need to be specifically conserved and their water balance should be managed appropriately (Maggini et al. 2014).
Text account compilers
Rutherford, C.A., Martin, R.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Savi's Warbler Locustella luscinioides. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/savis-warbler-locustella-luscinioides on 23/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 23/12/2024.