Passeriformes / Phylloscopidae / Phylloscopus
Large-billed Leaf Warbler
Phylloscopus magnirostris · 乌嘴柳莺
Introduction
A migratory leaf warbler in the family Phylloscopidae found in Asia. It breeds in central China and the Himalayas, wintering in Sri Lanka and the Western Ghats. Distinctive traits include a large darkish upper mandible, a single wing bar, and a unique two-note call.
Description
A somewhat large leaf warbler with a prominent yellowish-white supercilium and a contrasting broad, dark eye stripe extending behind the eye. It has a dark crown, greyish ear-coverts, and a single wing bar. The upper mandible is large and darkish.
Identification
Distinguished from most other leaf warblers by a large darkish upper mandible, a single wing bar, and a distinctive two-note dir-tee call where the second note is much higher. Can be confused with the Arctic warbler.
Distribution & Habitat
Breeds in central China and the Himalayas. Winters in Sri Lanka, the Western Ghats, and associated hill ranges. Found in dense vegetation and occasionally observed in urban areas.
Behavior & Ecology
More often heard than seen. Calls often at regular intervals. The distinctive call consists of two notes, dir-tee, with the second note much higher. Another call comprises a single faint note followed by a series of evenly descending paired notes.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Phylloscopidae
- Genus
- Phylloscopus
Distribution
breeds Kashmir to southern Tibet and southern China; winters to India and Myanmar
Vocalizations
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.
