Habitat:
Dense grassy vegetation and low scrub, often near water

Activity period :
Primarily active during the day, with peak activity in the morning and late afternoon.

Identification and description:
The common grasshopper warbler is a small passerine about 13 cm long with streaked brown upperparts and long undertail coverts. Secretive in dense grassy vegetation and low scrub at water margins, it feeds on insects gleaned from foliage. During breeding, the male sings from a low branch or elevated grass stem to defend its territory and court the female.

Recommended lens:
500 mm – adjust based on distance, desired framing (portrait or habitat), and approach conditions.

Photography tips:
Position yourself at the edge of tall grass, concealed behind low scrub. Wait silently until the bird briefly perches to sing, then shoot from a low angle to capture its profile and long undertail coverts, using a shallow depth of field to isolate it from the grassy background.