Buff-throated Warbler
Phylloscopus subaffinis
A very plain small warbler without wingbars. Olive-green above with a yellow-washed pale belly and a thin yellowish brow stripe that is strongest above the eye. Tickell’s and Alpine Leaf Warblers are extremely similar; note Buff-throated’s weaker brow pattern that considerably weakens before the eye, shorter bill with a darker tip, and duller buff underparts. Yellow-streaked Warbler can also be similar; again, compare Buff-throated’s shorter bill, as well as its dark grayish (instead of pale pink) legs, yellowish-buff non-contrasting throat, and more yellowish-green upperparts. Radde’s and Dusky Warblers can also be a source of confusion on migration and during the winter, but are visibly larger and bulkier, with distinctly tan-tinged brow stripes. Buff-throated breeds in montane forests up to the treeline, and descends into foothills and lowlands in the winter, where it prefers scrubby habitat. Song is a loud, vibrant “tee-tee-tee-tee-tee,” often with a quiet introductory note. Also gives quiet, somewhat cricket-like chirps and chirrups.
Identification
Its underparts are yellowish, and its upperparts are greenish-gray. Its bill has a dark tip. It is similar to the Tickell's Leaf Warbler, but duller in color.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Phylloscopus subaffinis
- Authority
- Ogilvie-Grant, 1900
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Phylloscopidae
- Genus
- Phylloscopus
Range and habitat
- Breeding range
- OR : c, s China
- Non-breeding range
- s China to n se Asia
- Migration
- Vertical migration
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Kangean Tit-Babbler
Mixornis prillwitzi
Small drab bird of forest or degraded habitat, endemic to the island of Kangean, Indonesia. Unremarkable in appearance. Pale yellowish-tan underparts, warmer on the chest, brownish-gray crown and back, gray cheek, and rufous-brown wings and tail. Forages in pairs or small groups close to the ground or at mid-level. Song is a series of “chonk” notes, similar to Bold-striped Tit-Babbler; calls include a dry, rolling chatter.
Yellow-bellied Siskin
Spinus xanthogastrus
Small boldly patterned finch. Male has black hood, yellow belly, and yellow wing patch. Female much drabber, overall dull yellowish-green but still shows yellow wing patch. Most often seen in pairs, often perched in the canopy but sometimes lower. Usually close to forest, but hangs around clearings and edges.
Red-throated Thrush
Turdus ruficollis
This eastern counterpart of the Black-throated Thrush also breeds in montane areas and winters in lower-elevation areas on average. Males gray above and white below, with a brick-red throat and supercilium. Female paler, with more streaking on the breast and light suffusion of red on the face. Streaky and drab young birds can be difficult to distinguish from Black-throated; chestnut outer tail feathers and orange suffusion to the throat area indicate Red-throated. In areas of overlap, beware hybrids that may show features of both species. Pleasant song is simpler than that of Black-throated, and is composed of fluty whistles and trills. Calls include typical “chekchekchek” and high, thin “tseee.”
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.