Hainan Leaf Warbler
Phylloscopus hainanus
Beautifully luminous small leaf warbler restricted to the forests of China’s Hainan Island. Bright yellow all over, though darker wings and crown make paler wingbars and eyebrow visible nonetheless. Fairly distinctive in its limited range; Hartert’s Leaf Warbler also has a yellow cast but is duller overall and much larger, with a much more elongated appearance. Song is a short jumble of squeaky high-pitched notes akin to a machine that needs oiling.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Phylloscopus hainanus
- Authority
- Olsson, Alström & Colston, 1993
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Phylloscopidae
- Genus
- Phylloscopus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds

African Hawk-Eagle
Aquila spilogaster
A medium-sized, boldly-patterned, dark-and-white eagle. In flight the underwing is brown and white with a thick black hind edge, and the tail is mostly pale gray with a thick dark bar at the end; these combine to give it a unique plumage pattern in flight. Immature birds have entirely rufous underparts, including the underwings. Resident in semi-arid rangelands, savanna, and riverine forest, where it primarily hunts birds; francolins and guineafowls are favored. Fairly quiet, but occasionally utters a distinctive melodious “klooeee”.

Rufous-headed Woodpecker
Celeus spectabilis
This spectacular woodpecker is medium-sized with a rufous head, black-and-cream patterned body, and plain rufous wings. Sexes are similar, but males have a red mustache. Unlikely to be confused, although compare with the more common Ringed Woodpecker, which has a rufous (not cream-colored) back, a paler head, and black markings on the flight feathers. Also note Rufous-headed is a habitat specialist, most often found in stands of bamboo or cane, especially along large rivers. Rare and local, Rufous-headed is shy and usually requires specific effort to find.

Hume's Treecreeper
Certhia manipurensis
Physically almost identical to Sikkim Treecreeper, but throat pale tan-orange instead gray. Bright contrasting rusty tail distinguishes it from other treecreepers in its range. A species of foothill to montane and submontane regions; averages lower in elevational range than Sikkim Treecreeper, with minimal to no range overlap. Favors broadleaf evergreen and mixed forests. Occasionally found in mixed-species flocks. Song is slower than that of Sikkim Treecreeper, a rather slow ringing trill composed of paired notes; calls include an echoing two-note “tsijew” and a high “tzit.”
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