Phylloscopus poliogenys
The Grey-cheeked Warbler (*Phylloscopus poliogenys*) is a charmingly diminutive Old World leaf warbler, measuring approximately 10 to 11.5 cm in length and weighing a mere 6 to 9 grams. Its appearance is characterized by olive-green upperparts and clean whitish underparts, with a distinctive pale supercilium sharply contrasting against a darker eyestripe and prominent grey cheeks, giving the species its common name. This plumage, often accented by a yellowish wash on the flanks or vent, typic...
The Grey-cheeked Warbler primarily inhabits submontane to montane evergreen and deciduous forests, often preferring areas with dense undergrowth or proximity to water. It breeds at elevations typically between 1000 and 3000 meters, descending to lower altitudes (100-1500 meters) during the non-br...
The Grey-cheeked Warbler is primarily insectivorous, feeding on a wide variety of small insects, their larvae, and spiders, which it gleans actively from foliage and bark.
This active warbler is diurnal, constantly flitting and gleaning for insects among the leaves and branches of the forest canopy and understory. Its foraging strategy involves rapid movements, hover-gleaning, and quick sallies to snatch prey, showcasing remarkable agility. During the breeding seas...
The Grey-cheeked Warbler has a wide distribution across South and Southeast Asia, primarily within montane and submontane regions. Its breeding range extends from the eastern Himalayas, encompassing parts of Nepal, Bhutan, and Northeast India (e.g., Arunachal Pradesh), eastward through northern M...
Least Concern
- The Grey-cheeked Warbler's scientific name, *poliogenys*, directly translates from Greek as 'grey-cheeked,' perfectly describing its most distinctive field mark. - It is one of many 'leaf warblers' in the *Phylloscopus* genus, a group notoriously challenging for birders due to their often subtl...