Yunnan Fulvetta
Alcippe fratercula
云南雀鹛
Introduction
This small passerine bird occurs in montane forests of southeastern Asia, ranging across southern China, southeastern Myanmar, and northern Indochina. It inhabits subtropical and tropical moist montane forests. Three subspecies are recognized with geographic variation across its range. The species typically forages in mixed-species flocks within dense understory vegetation.
Description
A small, plump songbird belonging to the Leiothrichidae family. The plumage features brownish upperparts and variable underpart coloration typical of its genus. Specific plumage details are not provided in available sources.
Distribution & Habitat
Restricted to southeastern Asia, occupying montane forest habitats across three disjunct subspecies. A. f. yunnanensis occurs in southern China (southern Sichuan and eastern Yunnan) extending into northeastern Myanmar's Kachin region. A. f. fratercula ranges from central Myanmar through southern China to northern Thailand and northwestern Laos. A. f. laotiana inhabits north-central and central Laos plus north-central Vietnam.
Behavior & Ecology
Inhabits subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. The species likely exhibits social behaviors typical of its genus, potentially forming mixed-species flocks in forest canopy and understory layers. Detailed information on diet, breeding biology, and vocalizations is not documented in available sources.
Conservation
The conservation status and population trends are not assessed in provided sources. The species' dependence on montane forest habitats suggests potential vulnerability to deforestation and habitat fragmentation across its relatively limited range.
Culture
No documented cultural significance, folklore, or traditional knowledge associated with this species is available in accessible sources.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Leiothrichidae
- Genus
- Alcippe
- eBird Code
- gycful4
Subspecies (3)
-
Alcippe fratercula fratercula
central Myanmar to southern China, northern Thailand, and northwestern Laos
-
Alcippe fratercula laotiana
north-central and central Laos and north-central Vietnam
-
Alcippe fratercula yunnanensis
southern China (southern Sichuan and eastern Yunnan) to northeastern Myanmar (Kachin)
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Bird images and sounds sourced from GBIF, contributed by citizen scientists worldwide under Creative Commons licenses.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.