Phylloscopus burkii
The Green-crowned Warbler (Phylloscopus burkii) is a diminutive and sprightly member of the Old World Warbler family (Phylloscopidae), captivating birders with its subtle beauty and intricate vocalizations. Measuring approximately 10-11 cm in length and weighing a mere 6-9 grams, its upperparts are a dull olive-green, contrasting with yellowish-white underparts that may show a faint yellow wash on the flanks and vent. A key identification feature is its distinct head pattern: a prominent, bri...
This warbler primarily inhabits temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, particularly oak and rhododendron, during its breeding season at higher elevations (1,500-3,500 m). In winter, it descends to subtropical evergreen and deciduous forests, scrub, and forest edges at lower altitudes (below 1,800...
Its diet consists almost exclusively of small insects and their larvae, as well as spiders. Foraging is done by actively gleaning prey from foliage and twigs, often high in the forest canopy.
The Green-crowned Warbler is an incessantly active and restless bird, spending its days foraging high in the canopy or mid-story, constantly on the move. Its foraging strategy involves active gleaning, rapidly picking insects from leaves, twigs, and bark, often hovering briefly to snatch prey. Du...
The Green-crowned Warbler's breeding range spans the formidable Himalayas and extends into parts of Southeast Asia. Specifically, subspecies *P. b. tephrodiras* breeds in the western Himalayas (from Himachal Pradesh to western Nepal), while *P. b. burkii* occupies the central and eastern Himalaya...
Least Concern
- Despite its name, its 'green crown' is actually a greenish-grey central crown stripe bordered by dark lateral stripes, which is a key identification mark. - Its complex and often species-specific song is more reliable for identification than its subtle plumage, a common theme among leaf warbler...