Phylloscopus warbler, Sichuan, China (1 Viewer)

[orientaldkf]

Hi all, took this Phylloscopus warbler in Daocheng, Sichuan, China in May (around 2800-3100m). Initially identified this as Greenish Warbler, but upon reviewing my photos again I'm rather unsure on how to separate this from Two-barred Warbler. There is no visible crown stripe on the bird (in other photos as well).

Appreciate any help and thanks!

 

[Grahame Walbridge]

It's a Greenish as you initially concluded IMO, in spite of the rather strong greater covert wing bar and suggestion of a median covert bar; upper parts are the wrong tone with a contrasting darker crown, underparts not clean (white) enough and bill looks to slight for Two-barred.
Compare https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/2...53.525019114.1612173147-2021484583.1612173147

Regarding ssp., resident race should be trochiloides at this location, though a rather broad greater covert bar (occasionally stronger than plumbeitarsus) is said to be a feature of fresh obscuratus which may pass through the region.

Grahame

 

[orientaldkf]

Thanks Grahame, appreciate you pointing out the features to look out for. Never noticed the difference in bill and crown colour! I admit the strong lower wing bar and hint of a upper wing bar did throw me off.

Went to look through more photos and guides of both species, seems like Greenish is duller overall as well and the broad lower wing bars in Greenish (when they do appear) tend to be much shorter than that of Two-barred (from Identification of Two-barred, Greenish, Bright-green and Arctic Warblers by van der Vliet et al. (2001) for anyone interested).