- Phylloscopus borealis
Identification
12–13 cm (4¾-5 in)
Olive-green above, greyish-white below. A single noticeable wing bar, and another less distinct, in fresh plumage (though sometimes one or both can be lost when feathers become worn). Long white supercillium and a broad dark eyestripe.
Thick wedge-shaped bill, with a dark tip to the lower mandible.
Flat forehead and slight peak to the hindcrown.
Legs pinkish-brown.
Similar Species
Larger than both Willow and Greenish Warblers.
Distribution
Breeds in Alaska, northern Asia, Scandinavia, and Siberia.
Rare but increasing sightings on Fair Isle and the east coast of the UK in the autumn.
Winters South-east Asia, Thailand, Burma and Indonesia.
Taxonomy
Subspecies
Four subspecies are recognized[1] (other authorities recognize from 3 to 7):
- P. b. borealis (talovka):
- Scandinavia to Chukotsk Peninsula; winters to south-eastern China and Philippines
- P. b. transbaicalicus:
- P. b. hylebata:
- Eastern Amurland to northern Manchuria, Ussuriland and North Korea
- P. b. kennicotti:
- Western Alaska; winters in Philippines
Gill and Donsker only accept kennicotti and the nominate subspecies.
Japanese Leaf Warbler and Kamchatka Leaf Warbler were formerly included in this species.
Habitat
Mixed coniferous, birch and other broadleaved woods, also in lush undergrowth near water. Most are in lowlands but the Kamtchatka breeds in higher elevation subalpine forests.
Behaviour
Very active bird, constantly flitting around in the tree canopy.
Flight
Dashing flight. Flicks wings and tail when at rest.
Breeding
The nest is on the ground in a low shrub.
Diet
The diet includes small arthropods, picked off vegetation or in flight.
Vocalisation
<flashmp3>Phylloscopus borealis (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2016. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2016, with updates to August 2016. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Taxonomy thread discussing Arctic Warbler read in June 2009
- Wikipedia
- BTO Bird Facts
- Collins Field Guide 5th Edition
- Collins Bird Guide ISBN 0 00 219728 6
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Arctic Warbler. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 22 November 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Arctic_Warbler
