Bush Warbler species in Kaeng Krachan, Thailand (1 Viewer)

[andreas bruun kristensen]

December 24th 2011, this Bush Warbler was found skulking at the roadside near Bang Krang Campsite in Kaeng Krachan, Thailand.

To me, it looks most like a Siberian Bush Warbler (Bradypterus davidi). But I would be grateful if anyone could comment on its idenntification.

I have searched Ebird and cannot find any records of Bush Warblers in Kaeng Krachan (but some records of davidi near Bangkok). Does anybody know the status of Bush Warblers at Kaeng Krachan?

Best,
Andreas

 

[Brian J Small]

December 24th 2011, this Bush Warbler was found skulking at the roadside near Bang Krang Campsite in Kaeng Krachan, Thailand.

To me, it looks most like a Siberian Bush Warbler (Bradypterus davidi). But I would be grateful if anyone could comment on its idenntification.

I have searched Ebird and cannot find any records of Bush Warblers in Kaeng Krachan (but some records of davidi near Bangkok). Does anybody know the status of Bush Warblers at Kaeng Krachan?

Best,
Andreas

Hi Andreas

This does indeed look like a Baikal Bush Warbler B. davidi suschkini.

There are few photos of them in the field, but in winter suschkini tends to look duller and more grey- or earth brown above, with a slight greyish collar and few (if any) marks on the upper breast. In fact when trapped in Burma it was named as a new subspecies shanensis it looked so different.

Suschkini is the form that occurs in Thailand - it is thought davidi occurs further east. However, winter distribution throughout its range is not especially well known - your record at KK is the most southerly I have heard of.

In 'Reed and Bush Warblers' there is a photo by Peter Kennerley of suschkini trapped at Chiang Mai.

Brian S

 

[Grahame Walbridge]

Andreas,

I agree with Brian it looks good for Baikal Bush Warbler, a name I prefer to use since I follow IOC.

Re status, in his 'Birds of the Bangkok Area' Round states 'This highly skulking little warbler, once only known from a handful of records from the north, proves to be common and widespread in scrubland, especially in marshy areas, including the Central Plains, as far south as Khao Sam Roi Yot (Prachuap Kiri Khan) It is a common winter visitor.

It is listed for Kaeng Krachan by both Thaibirdingcom & Norththaibirding but I am not sure how regular it is.

Grahame

 

[andreas bruun kristensen]

Thank you very much for your useful replies.