From Opus

Photo by LeeDavis
Location: RSPB Bempton Cliffs, England, September 2004

Phylloscopus borealis

[edit] Identification

11cm. 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.

[edit] Similar Species

Larger than both Willow and Greenish Warblers.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Taxonomy

Five 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:

• Eastern Siberia to northern Mongolia; winters to south-eastern Asia

• P. b. xanthodryas:

• Sea of Okhotsk to Kamchatka Peninsula, Kuril Island, Hokkaido and Honshu

• P. b. hylebata:

• Eastern Amurland to northern Manchuria, Ussuriland and North Korea

• P. b. kennicotti:

• Western Alaska; winters in Philippines

A taxonomy thread^[2] in Birdforum suggests that Arctic warbler may end up being split into three species; the groupings differ minimally in plumage but more strongly in song.

[edit] Habitat

Mixed birch and coniferous woods, also in lush undergrowth near water.

[edit] Behaviour

Very active bird, constantly flitting around in the tree canopy.

[edit] Flight

Dashing flight. Flicks wings and tail when at rest.

[edit] Breeding

The nest is on the ground in a low shrub.

[edit] Diet

The diet includes small arthropods, picked off vegetation or in flight.

[edit] Vocalisation

[edit] References

1. Clements, JF. 2008. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2008. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist.
2. Taxonomy thread discussing Arctic Warbler read in June 2009
3. Wikipedia
4. BTO Bird Facts
5. Collins Field Guide 5th Edition
6. Collins Bird Guide ISBN 0 00 219728 6

[edit] External Links