Phylloscopus tephrocephalus
The Grey-crowned Warbler (Phylloscopus tephrocephalus) is a diminutive yet vibrant member of the leaf warbler family, Phylloscopidae, renowned for its active demeanor and distinctive high-altitude habitat. Measuring approximately 10-11 cm in length with a slight build and a fine, pointed bill, its most striking field mark is the clear, ash-grey crown that sharply contrasts with an olive-greenish back and a long, pale supercilium, accentuated by a dark eye-stripe. Underparts are typically whit...
This species primarily inhabits high-altitude coniferous and mixed forests, subalpine scrub, rhododendron thickets, and willowbeds near the treeline, typically found between 2,500 and 4,000 meters above sea level.
Their diet consists almost exclusively of small insects and their larvae, as well as spiders, which they glean actively from foliage and branches.
The Grey-crowned Warbler is a ceaselessly active and often solitary bird, spending its days methodically foraging high in the canopy or low in dense undergrowth. It employs active gleaning, hovering, and quick dashes to snatch small insects and larvae from foliage and twigs, rarely foraging on th...
The Grey-crowned Warbler's breeding range is concentrated in the mountainous regions of central and southern China, encompassing provinces such as Sichuan, Yunnan, Qinghai, Gansu, Shaanxi, and eastern Tibet, with some populations extending into northern Myanmar. They are altitudinal migrants, mov...
Least Concern
- The Grey-crowned Warbler is a classic example of a 'leaf warbler,' a group known for its small size, active foraging, and often subtle plumage differences that make visual identification challenging for even seasoned birders. - Its distinctive grey crown, combined with a strong supercilium, is ...