whitethroat, (Sylvia communis), typical Old World warbler of the family Sylviidae (order Passeriformes); it breeds in western Eurasia and northwestern Africa and winters in Africa and India. It is 14 cm (5 1/2 inches) long, with red-brown wing patches and longish white-edged tail; the male is gray-capped and white-throated. It sings beautifully from dawn until dusk in woodland border and hedgerows.