Davison's Leaf Warbler
Phylloscopus intensior
Small, brightly-colored leaf warbler. Yellowish green above and pale below, with bright yellow brow stripes, a pale crown stripe, and a bicolored bill (dark above, orange below). Has two wingbars, of which upper can be quite pale or absent. Note white undertail and distinct behavior of flicking both wings at the same time (Blyth’s, Claudia’s, and Hartert’s leaf warblers flick their wings alternatingly). More extensively yellow and with a stronger, more contrasting head pattern than Blyth’s and Emei leaf warblers, and lacks the bright rump patch of “Pallas’s-type” leaf warblers. Closely related Kloss’s Leaf Warbler is extremely similar; look for Davison’s brighter and more extensively white undertail coverts. Breeds in deciduous broadleaved and mixed hill and montane forest; descends into forested foothills in the non-breeding season. Song is short and sweet: “wih-chew-chee wih-chew-chee-wih”. Calls are high and liquid-sounding: “chew-wee” or “wit-chew-wee”.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Phylloscopus intensior
- Authority
- Deignan, 1956
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Phylloscopidae
- Genus
- Phylloscopus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Vertical migration
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Lazuline Sabrewing
Campylopterus falcatus
Large, distinctive hummingbird. Males have bright blue underparts with maroon tail and downcurved bill. With a quick view, might be confused with a violetear or Green-backed Hillstar, but tail color and entirely blue underparts are distinctive. Females are grayer on the belly with a grayish mustache stripe; note maroon tail. Occurs in the subtropical zone of the Andes from Venezuela to Ecuador. Visits feeders, but also found in forests and edges.
Russet Bush Warbler
Locustella mandelli
This mouse-like bush warbler skulks deeply in thickets and shrubbery, seldom exposing more than one part of its body at once except when singing. Brown overall with few distinguishing features; lighter, warmer brown overall than Brown Bush Warbler, with a whiter throat and belly. Favors fairly open brushy edge habitats with tangles and thickets of dense vegetation; can be found in overgrown cultivation and field edges. Belts out a song starting with a buzzing introductory note, which is followed by a series of paired ticks.
African Pipit
Anthus cinnamomeus
The default pipit across much of Africa. Brown above and pale below, with a streaked back, well-marked face, and white outer tail feathers. There is considerable geographic variation, from pale and sandy to rich brown and rufous. Found in a variety of open and usually grassy habitats, both near water and in dry areas. Call is a sneezing “tzsht”. Song comprises consecutive series of rattles, given in flight. Very similar to other pipits; some of the key features to look for include the yellow base of the bill, streaked back, and white outer tail feathers.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.