Sylviidae

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Sylviidae

bird family

Also known as: Old World warbler family

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Related Topics:: cisticola; prinia; wren-warbler; Sylvia; Calamonastes

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Sylviidae, songbird family, order Passeriformes, consisting of numerous species of small dull-coloured active birds found in a variety of habitats. The group includes some species of Old World warblers and parrotbills.

Members range in size from 9 to 26 cm (3.5 to 10 inches) long. They have thin bills; long nostrils with a covering flap; medium, rounded wings; and weak legs and feet. Old World warblers have 10 primary feathers in each wing, instead of nine, as in the New World wood warblers (family Parulidae). In woods, brushlands, and marshes these birds search for insects. They are good singers, though not equal to thrushes. Sylvia includes many common European birds, such as the garden warbler (S. borin), whitethroat (S. communis), and blackcap (S. atricapilla).

The Sylviidae belongs to the songbird suborder (Passeri).

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This article was most recently revised and updated by Kara Rogers.