Sichuan Leaf Warbler? China (1 Viewer)

[orientaldkf]

Hi all, took this Phylloscopus warbler in Yading Nature Reserve, Sichuan, China in May 2019. Based on range, Sichuan Leaf Warbler (P. forresti) seems like the best match, although there are several other closely related species such as Lemon-rumped Leaf Warbler (P. chloronotus) that I'm not confident in telling apart without the call (which I did not record). Appreciate any help to confirm the ID, thanks!

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

I think on range this should be Sichuan Leaf Warbler. It looks to have too strong a central crown stripe for Chinese Leaf Warbler, which is the main confusion species in that area.

 

[andyb39]

Possibly, Andrew - the crown-stripe of Chinese is supposed to be more or less absent anteriorly. I find this bird weakly marked, however. The lateral crown stripes aren't as dark or distinct as I'd expect, the eyestripe lacks the usual hook at the end (it's supposed to hook around the pale spot on the ear-coverts) and the usual dark bases to the secondaries are absent, although this bird is similar in that respect: Sichuan Leaf Warbler Identification | Shanghai Birding 上海观鸟. The rather buff tones on the supercilium and crown-stripe look OK for Sichuan.

 

[orientaldkf]

Thanks Andrew and Andy! Appreciate the explanation.