Passeriformes / Phylloscopidae / Phylloscopus
Dusky Warbler
Phylloscopus fuscatus · 褐柳莺
Introduction
A leaf warbler breeding in the east Palearctic. It is strongly migratory, wintering in South Asia and South-east Asia, and is prone to vagrancy as far as western Europe and North America. This abundant bird inhabits taiga bogs and wet meadows. It is insectivorous and builds its nest low in a bush, laying 5–6 eggs.
Description
Similar in size and shape to a chiffchaff. The adult has an unstreaked brown back and buff underparts. There is a prominent whitish supercilium, and the bill is fine and pointed. The sexes are identical, but young birds are more olive-tinged above.
Identification
The song is a monotonous whistle, and the call is a harsh check. The call is often the first clue that this typically skulking species is present, away from the breeding grounds.
Distribution & Habitat
Breeds in the east Palearctic in taiga bogs and wet meadows. Winters in South Asia and South-east Asia. Strongly migratory and prone to vagrancy, occurring sometimes in Alaska and California, and as far as western Europe in October, with records of wintering in Great Britain. An individual was detected in Porto, Portugal, in December 2025.
Behavior & Ecology
Insectivorous, but will take other small food items, including berries. The nest is built low in a bush.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Phylloscopidae
- Genus
- Phylloscopus
Subspecies (2)
-
Phylloscopus fuscatus fuscatus
breeds Siberia to Mongolia and western China; winters to India and Indochina
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.
