Phylloscopus xanthoschistos
The Grey-hooded Warbler, Phylloscopus xanthoschistos, is a striking and active Old World warbler endemic to the Himalayan region. Measuring a mere 10-12 cm in length and weighing 6-8 grams, its most distinctive feature is its slaty-grey hood, which extends from the head down to the upper breast, contrasting sharply with its bright yellow underparts, vent, and a prominent yellow supercilium. Its upperparts are a dull olive-green, often complemented by two faint pale wing-bars, though the lower...
This warbler breeds in temperate broadleaf and mixed montane forests, often near streams, at elevations between 1,500m and 3,600m; it descends to lower subtropical forests and woodlands (300-2,400m) during winter.
Its diet consists predominantly of small invertebrates, including caterpillars, beetles, flies, and spiders, which it gleans from vegetation; occasionally, it may consume small berries or nectar.
The Grey-hooded Warbler is a highly active and restless diurnal bird, constantly flitting through foliage and twigs. It primarily forages by gleaning insects from leaves and branches, often hovering briefly or performing short, agile sallies to catch aerial prey. During the breeding season, males...
The Grey-hooded Warbler is an endemic resident and altitudinal migrant across the Himalayan mountain chain. Its breeding range extends from northern Pakistan, eastward through Nepal, northern India (including Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh), and Bhutan, reaching into...
Least Concern
- Its scientific name 'xanthoschistos' translates to 'yellow slate', a perfect description of its distinctive grey head and bright yellow underside. - This warbler is known for its restless, acrobatic foraging style, often seen hanging upside down to inspect leaf undersides, much like a tit. - De...