Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population trend appears to be increasing, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size is extremely large, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Population justification
The population has not been estimated since the taxonomic split.
Trend justification
In Europe the overall trend of the pre-split species from 1989-2013 was increasing (EBCC 2015).
This species is found in various types of open or semi-open woodland with variable bushy cover, such as maquis with cork oak (Quercus suber) and holm oak (Quercus ilex), dehesa-like forest of Argania spinosa, olive groves and park-like pine (Pinus) forest. It is also found in abandoned orchards, suburban gardens, and forested margins of vineyards and ravines. In its non-breeding range it uses semi-arid savanna and steppe-like habitats with sparse tree cover and some scrubby vegetation, mostly acacia (Acacia) woodland or scrub as well as tamarisk (Tamarix) thickets and along bushy riversides. Breeding occurs from mid-April to July. It is monogamous and both sexes build the nest which is a rather robust cup of grass and plant material with vegetable down, moss and cobwebs, lined with finer grasses and fibres. It is placed c. 0·5–3·5 m above the ground in a bush or tree; frequently close to nest of Woodchat Shrike (Lanius senator). Clutches are typically three to five eggs. The diet is mainly arthropods, especially insects and their larvae but it also takes berries outside the breeding season. The species is a medium-distance to long-distance migrant (Aymí and Gargallo 2015).
Habitat loss and deterioration of its woodland habitat have been caused mainly by agricultural intensification and decreased grazing. Wildfires can have adverse effect in the short term but may be beneficial by helping to open up forested areas (Tucker and Heath 1994, Aymí and Gargallo 2015). The species is likely to suffer negative impacts from climate change (Doswald et al. 2009).
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
Low-intensity land-use practices and traditional management of olives, fruit trees and orchards should be maintained within Europe. Research should focus on the species’s habitat requirements to help ascertain causes of decline and to inform suitable future conservation measures (Tucker and Heath 1994).
Text account compilers
Butchart, S., Ekstrom, J. & Symes, A.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Western Orphean Warbler Curruca hortensis. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/western-orphean-warbler-curruca-hortensis on 22/12/2024.
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 22/12/2024.