Passeriformes / Phylloscopidae / Phylloscopus
Gansu Leaf Warbler
Phylloscopus kansuensis · 甘肃柳莺
Introduction
A small passerine in the genus Phylloscopus, family Phylloscopidae, endemic to China. Formerly considered a subspecies of Pallas's warbler, it is now recognized as a distinct species based on vocal and genetic differences. It inhabits deciduous forests with spruce and juniper at elevations up to 3,200 metres. Classified as Least Concern by BirdLife International.
Description
Body length is 10 cm, slightly larger than Pallas's warbler. Upperparts are greenish, underparts pale, and the rump is pale. The head features a long white supercilium and a pale stripe along the centre of the crown. Wings display one conspicuous wingbar, a slight second bar, and whitish edges to the tertials.
Identification
Distinguished from Pallas's warbler by its larger size and very different song. The vocalization consists of a thin, high-pitched note followed by a series of accelerating notes and finally a trill. Key visual marks include a single conspicuous wingbar and a pale central crown stripe.
Distribution & Habitat
Breeds only in Gansu and Qinghai provinces in northern China. Wintering grounds are uncertain but probably lie in Yunnan province in southern China. Found in deciduous forest with some spruce and juniper, up to 3,200 metres above sea-level.
Conservation
Classed as a species of Least Concern by BirdLife International; not currently known to be threatened with extinction.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Phylloscopidae
- Genus
- Phylloscopus
Distribution
mountains of western China (Qinghai and Gansu)
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.
