At a glance
- IUCN category
- VU · Vulnerable
- Animal group
- Birds
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The aquatic warbler is a small, streaky songbird and one of the most threatened migratory songbirds in mainland Europe. It is assessed as Vulnerable.
It breeds only in specific open fen-mire wetlands.
Range & habitat
Breeds in fen mires of central and eastern Europe and winters in West Africa.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Loss and drainage of fen wetlands
- Habitat change on migration and wintering grounds
- A fragmented population
Why it matters
A wetland songbird dependent on vanishing fen mires, the aquatic warbler is a flagship for protecting Europe's lowland wetlands.
Sources
Sources for Aquatic Warbler
- IUCN Red List — look up Aquatic Warbler (authoritative status)
- BirdLife International
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the aquatic warbler so dependent on fens?
It breeds only in particular open, wet fen-mire habitats, which have been widely drained for agriculture, leaving the warbler with few suitable sites.
Why is the aquatic warbler Vulnerable?
Published assessments cite the loss and drainage of fen wetlands, habitat change along its migration and wintering range, and a fragmented population. See the IUCN Red List.
Last updated: