Habitat
Thick, tangled vegetation along the banks of watercourses, or covering drainage lines in fynbos forest patches, or on the edges of afromontane forest. From sea-level - 1,000 m.
Population
Estimated population is 2,500 (2010) and decreasing.
Status VU
Habitat loss through clearance of coastal forests, burning of fire-breaks adjacent to forests, is the main threat.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Knysna Warbler (Bradypterus sylvaticus) [XC780243]
by Rick Nuttall from Little Beach Rd, Port Alfred, Sarah Baartman District Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa (song)
Knysna Warbler (Bradypterus sylvaticus) [XC256555]
by Daniel Danckwerts from Port Alfred, Western District, Eastern Cape, South Africa (song)
Subspecies
Has been allied with Bamboo Warbler (Bradypterus alfredi) on basis of shortish rounded tail. The two have totally different songs.
The following 2 subspecies are recognised:
sylvaticus Sundevall, 1860 - Coastal southern South Africa (Cape Peninsula east to Port Elizabeth).
pondoensis Haagner, 1909 - Coastal south-eastern South Africa (Eastern Cape from R Ntafufu east to Port St Johns).
Similar Species
Barratt's Warbler (Bradypterus barratti)which has spotted throat and longer tail.
References
See References.