like many typical warblers, the dartford warbler has distinct male and female plumages. the male has a grey back and head, reddish underparts, and a red eye. the reddish throat is spotted with white. the sides are a dull greyish tone, being more clear about the abdomen. in some populations males have bluish-grey or brownish-grey backs and heads. the female is paler below, especially on the throat, and a browner grey above. the female's throat also has white spots, although they are smaller and less marked than in the male. juvenile birds are similar to females.