- Phylloscopus neglectus
Identification
Length 9-10 cm (3½-4 in), weight 4.2-7 g
A tiny leaf warbler, the same size as Pallas's Leaf Warbler, but unlike that species, with very drab, plain plumage. Upperparts uniform dull brownish-grey, with no wingbar and only a weak pale supercilium; underparts pale greyish with slightly buff-toned flanks. Legs and bill dark. Thus most resembles a tiny, short-tailed Mountain Chiffchaff, or Common Chiffchaff of one of the greyer eastern subspecies.
Distribution
Breeds in the mountains of Afghanistan, Iran, Tajikistan, southern Turkmenistan, southeastern Uzbekistan, and possibly Turkey (unverified breeding in far southeast).
Winters in Bahrain, northwestern India, southern Iran, Oman, Pakistan, and United Arab Emirates.
Vagrants have reached Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Russia, and Sweden. Not reported from Iraq but should be looked for there in winter, and in summer in the Suleymaniyah Mountains of northeastern Iraq (adjacent to known breeding areas in Iran).
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
Most closely related to Mountain Chiffchaff and Common Chiffchaff, and has occasionally been considered a subspecies of the latter.
Habitat
Breeds in dry temperate mountain forests and subalpine scrub at 2400-4200 m altitude; winters in dry subtropical scrub woodland and orchards.
Behaviour
Diet
Feeds on small insects; often flycatches.
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/
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliot, and D Christie, eds. 2006. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 11: Old World Flycatchers to Old World Warblers. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553064
- Birdforum thread discussing presence in southeastern Turkey.
- Avibase checklists
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Plain Leaf Warbler. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 9 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Plain_Leaf_Warbler
