Sylvia conspicillata

The Spectacled Warbler is classified as a Vulnerable (VU) species based on the declining population trend and range reduction, particularly in the steppe and semi-arid transition regions. In the previous edition of the Red Book (2002), it was classified as Vulnerable (VU). The unchanged status reflects the continued decline in the breeding population size and range.

Habitats	Mediterranean Batha, Semi-desert Batha
Presence In Israel	Resident
Nesting In Israel	Breeder
Migration Types	Short Range / Partial
Zoography Zones	Irano-Turanian
Landscape Formations	Mountainous, Wide Wadis
Vegetation Formations	Steppe
Vegetation Densities	Low
Nest Locations	Bushes
Diet Types	Invertebrate
Foraging Grounds	Trees and Shrubs
Body Sizes	Small (up to 500g)
Threat Factors	Plantations, Wildfires, Overgrazing, Habitat Fragmentation

The Spectacled Warbler is a small, shy warbler that inhabits shrubland in the desert and semi-arid transition areas. The male is relatively colorful for a warbler, with a bluish-grey head and a prominent white eye-ring. Underparts are pale pink and flight feathers rufous. The female and juveniles have a grey head and white underparts and a chestnut wing patch. The Spectacled Warbler has a narrow slender body with a long tail and short, rounded wings. In the field, it jumps nimbly from shrub to shrub, raising its tail occasionally. Its call is a raspy warble that usually reveals its presence.

A resident species found in shrubland in desert and steppe regions, with a patchy distribution – very common in some areas and completely absent from others. Outside the breeding season, it moves to lower regions, particularly the Arava and Jordan valleys. On Mt. Hermon, the Spectacled Warbler is found in the spiny-cushion-plants (tragacanth) zone up to altitudes of 2,100 meters. In Judea and Samaria, it is restricted to well developed, dense Prickly Burnet Sarcopoterium spinosum scrub patches, mainly on the eastern side of Israel’s watershed. In the Negev, it breeds sparsely, mainly in the Yeroham-Dimona and Revivim-Nitsana areas, and in the Western Negev sands. In the early 20th century, the Spectacled Warbler population apparently expanded north and west to areas of Prickly Burnet scrubland formed after native woodland was cut. In the 1970s, this expansion stopped and the population began receding because of reduced grazing, development and afforestation. During the 1980s and 1990s, the species gradually disappeared from extensive areas of Judea and Samaria, from Mt. Carmel, the Eastern Galilee and the southern Golan Heights.

Open exposed landscapes with low vegetation, mainly in the desert and steppe regions. In the Mediterranean region, it is associated with the Prickly Burnet plant community, in the desert region it nests in wadis with patches of shrubs and grasses.

Habitat modification, particularly due to development, planting and expansion of agricultural areas. Overgrazing causes a direct disturbance, nest trampling and nestling predation (by dogs accompanying the herds). This is a major factor in the semi-arid transition area in Judea, Samaria and the Northern Negev, while lack of grazing in the Carmel and Galilee led to alteration and shrinking of suitable habitats for the warblers.

No specific conservation measures have been taken for this species to date.

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