©
© Mathias Schäf
Conservation programme for birds in Switzerland - Priority species
Common Whitethroat
The Common Whitethroat is a breeding bird typical of structurally diverse, extensively used open agricultural landscapes. It needs sunny low hedges, thorny scrub, herbaceous margins and fallow areas. Intensive agriculture has led to a sharp decline in such habitats and in insects as s source of food. The Common Whitethroat used to be common but its numbers fell rapidly in the 20th century. A slight recovery has been seen since 1993–1996, and its distribution seems to have expanded somewhat. The current Breeding Bird Atlas (2013–2016) estimated the population at 1,800–2,500 pairs – the species is deemed to be near threatened. To conserve the Common Whitethroat, diverse boundary structures, mature fallow areas, fewer pesticides and extensive hedge and margin management are needed.
Distribution and development
Schematic distribution
Schematic distribution during the breeding season (ochre), in winter time (dotted in blue) or during migration periods (dotted in vinaceous).
Breeding bird index
The graph shows the relative evolution of the breeding population in Switzerland (100 = mean value). Example: A value of 130 means that the population in the corresponding year was 30% above the mean value of the entire period considered.
Habitat and food
©
© Célina Leuba
Combination of low hedge, wildflower strip and small structure.
©
© Célina Leuba
Group of thorny bushes with margin.
©
© Nadine Appoloni
Old, structurally diverse wildflower fallow in autumn.
Conservation programme for birds in Switzerland - Priority species
Common Whitethroat
The Common Whitethroat is a breeding bird typical of structurally diverse, extensively used open agricultural landscapes. It needs sunny low hedges, thorny scrub, herbaceous margins and fallow areas. Intensive agriculture has led to a sharp decline in such habitats and in insects as s source of food. The Common Whitethroat used to be common but its numbers fell rapidly in the 20th century. A slight recovery has been seen since 1993–1996, and its distribution seems to have expanded somewhat. The current Breeding Bird Atlas (2013–2016) estimated the population at 1,800–2,500 pairs – the species is deemed to be near threatened. To conserve the Common Whitethroat, diverse boundary structures, mature fallow areas, fewer pesticides and extensive hedge and margin management are needed.
Birds of Switzerland
Common Whitethroat
To the species profile in the bird database
Project managers
Threats, activities and forecasts
Limiting factors and threats
The Common Whitethroat is primarily threatened by the loss of habitat in its breeding grounds. Structural impoverishment and intensive use of farmland are leading to a decline in suitable areas. Dry periods in wintering grounds are also having a negative impact.
Breeding season
- Loss of habitat: disappearance of hedges, fallow areas and unused marginal zones in open farmland.
- Intensive agriculture: pesticides are reducing the food supply.
Migration/ Winter
- Severe droughts in the wintering grounds are leading to lower survival rates.
Necessary activities
Monitoring
- Survey of local populations as a basis for monitoring the effectiveness of targeted measures.
- Monitoring of national trends should be continued.
Conservation
- Implement targeted measures through local conservation projects that improve habitat quality for the Common Whitethroat.
- Creation of specific conservation areas in open, sunny farmland.
- Old fallow areas with appropriate management are ideal.
- Appropriate maintenance and management of thorn-rich low hedgerows.
Research
- Habitat requirements and conservation measures are largely known.
- Wintering grounds: Improve understanding of the impact of periods of drought and climate change on populations.
Prospects for success and prognostics
- Local successes thanks to nature conservation projects with targeted measures in open farmland, such as the creation of wildflower strips, hedges and structurally diverse margins.
- Without the preservation and promotion of structural elements in the cultural landscape, further declines are to be expected.
- Climate-change-induced droughts in wintering grounds could cause future collapses, as in the 1960s.
Conservation measures and stakeholders
Create ecological compensation areas
Wildflower strip in an open agricultural landscape- wildflower strips should be planted not immediately next to woodland, but in a sunny, open location.
Agriculture
Plant thorny hedges
Low hedges – appropriate care is essential in order to maintain the hedges as a suitable habitat.
Agriculture
Nature conservation
Promote small structures
Create small structures such as piles of branches or stones in wildflower strips and margins in open farmland.
Agriculture
Nature conservation
Promote extensive farming
Avoiding the use of pesticides encourages insects and thus increases the food supply.
Agriculture
Cantons
Publications
©
© Mathias Schäf
Birds of Switzerland
Common Whitethroat
A singing Common Whitethroat is sometimes difficult to spot in dense shrub if it does not perform an aerial song display in between. The scratchy song corresponds well with its thorny habitat. The scientific species name communis – “common” – is a sad contrast to its present distribution in Switzerland. Droughts in the Sahel led to a striking decrease at the end of the 1960s. The pop...
To the species profile in the bird database
