Phylloscopus occipitalis
The Western Crowned Warbler, Phylloscopus occipitalis, is a vibrant and elusive passerine belonging to the Old World leaf warbler family, Phylloscopidae. This small bird typically measures about 11-12.5 cm in length with a wingspan of 18-20 cm and weighs a mere 7-10 grams. Its plumage is characterized by a greenish-olive back and wings, with yellowish-white underparts, often with a subtle yellow wash on the flanks and undertail coverts. Distinctive field marks include a prominent yellowish su...
Typically found in deciduous, mixed, and coniferous forests, favoring areas with dense undergrowth or open woodland. It inhabits elevations ranging from lowlands to montane regions, sometimes up to 3,000 meters.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on small invertebrates, their larvae, and eggs, gleaned meticulously from foliage and bark.
The Western Crowned Warbler is an active and restless bird, constantly moving through the canopy and mid-story of trees, primarily during daylight hours. It employs a foraging strategy of gleaning insects from leaves, twigs, and bark, often hovering briefly to snatch prey; occasionally, it may sa...
The Western Crowned Warbler boasts an expansive breeding range extending across central and eastern Asia. It breeds from the southern Ural Mountains eastward through Siberia, Mongolia, and northern China, reaching parts of the Korean Peninsula and Sakhalin Island. These populations undertake long...
Least Concern
- The 'occipitalis' in its scientific name refers to the back of the head, highlighting its distinctive crown pattern. - This tiny warbler undertakes an impressive annual migration, traveling thousands of kilometers from its breeding grounds in Siberia to its wintering grounds in Southeast Asia. ...