Phylloscopus trivirgatus
The Mountain Leaf Warbler (Phylloscopus trivirgatus) is a small, agile passerine bird, typically measuring around 10-11 cm in length and weighing 6-9 grams. Its appearance is characterized by olive-green upperparts and whitish to yellowish underparts, but its most distinctive field marks are on its head: a prominent bright yellow supercilium, a dark eye-stripe, and a clear yellow median crown stripe, giving it a 'triple-striped' look. It belongs to the Old World leaf warbler family Phylloscop...
This species primarily inhabits montane and submontane evergreen forests, particularly cloud forests and mossy, stunted woodlands. It is typically found at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 meters above sea level.
The diet of the Mountain Leaf Warbler consists almost exclusively of small invertebrates, including insects (such as caterpillars, beetles, flies, and aphids) and spiders. It primarily forages by gleaning prey from foliage and twigs.
The Mountain Leaf Warbler is a highly active and diurnal bird, constantly flitting through the canopy and understory. Its foraging strategy involves agile gleaning of small insects and larvae from leaves, twigs, and bark, often hovering or hanging upside down to reach prey. During the breeding se...
The Mountain Leaf Warbler is widely distributed across the montane regions of Southeast Asia. Its breeding and resident range extends throughout the mountains of the Malay Peninsula (Malaysia, southern Thailand), Sumatra, Java, Borneo (Kalimantan, Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei), the Philippines (includi...
Least Concern
- Its scientific name, 'trivirgatus,' is Latin for 'triple-striped,' a direct reference to its distinctive yellow supercilium, dark eye-stripe, and yellow median crown stripe. - Despite its small size, it thrives in some of Southeast Asia's highest mountain peaks, enduring the cooler, often cloud...