Greenish Warbler
Phylloscopus trochiloides
Green on the back and pale below; has a strong white eyebrow which is broad behind the eye and goes all the way to the forehead. Usually has one broad pale wingbar. Can be very unobtrusive and difficult to spot. Breeds in lowland and montane deciduous and mixed forest. Song is a high-pitched long series "tsit-psityee psityu-psi-ti-ti-ti-ti-si," but often detected by its call, a two-parted "t-sli" with flat or downward inflection. Similar to Green Warbler which co-occurs on wintering ground, best separated by call and Green's brighter green back and yellower underside.
Identification
The greenish warbler (Phylloscopus trochiloides) is a widespread leaf warbler with a breeding range in northeastern Europe, and temperate to subtropical continental Asia. This warbler is strongly migratory and winters in India. It is not uncommon as a spring or early autumn vagrant in Western Europe and is annually seen in Great Britain. In Central Europe large numbers of vagrant birds are encountered in some years; some of these may stay to breed, as a handful of pairs does each year in Germany. Like all leaf warblers, it was formerly placed in the "Old World warbler" assemblage, but now belongs to the new leaf-warbler family Phylloscopidae. The genus name Phylloscopus is from Ancient Greek phullon, "leaf", and skopos, "seeker" (from skopeo, "to watch"). The specific trochiloides is from Ancient Greek trokhalos, "bowed", and -oides "resembling", from the similarity to the willow warbler, P. trochilus. The English name of this species provides a perfect argument in favour of the capitalisation of species names (i.e. treating them as proper nouns), a convention which is generally applied in scientific literature. The decapitalised "greenish warbler" is equally descriptive of many bird species across multiple families, whereas a capitalised "Greenish Warbler" shows unambiguously that Phylloscopus trochiloides is under discussion.
Taxonomy
Genus: Phylloscopus; Family: Phylloscopidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Phylloscopus trochiloides
- Authority
- (Sundevall, 1837)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Phylloscopidae
- Genus
- Phylloscopus
Range and habitat
Breeding range: PAL : w, c. Non-breeding range: OR.
- Breeding range
- PAL : w, c
- Non-breeding range
- OR
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
Migration pattern: Complete migrants.
Conservation
Population trend: rising.
- Population trend
- rising
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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The black-and-white magpie of the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau. Best identified by range, but overlaps in the far eastern and southern parts of its range with Oriental Magpie; look for Black-rumped’s reduced gloss in plumage and stouter bill. Gives various chattering notes which average hoarser than those of Oriental Magpie. Found in farmland and other semi-open areas, as well as parks and towns.
Raso Skylark
Alauda razae
Found only on Raso Island of the Cape Verdes. Overall grayish-brown and moderately streaked including the breast. Note the large and heavy bill. Sometimes erects small crest. Belongs to the same genus as Eurasian Skylark, but is smaller with shorter wings and tail than Eurasian Skylark. Found along dry riverbeds on flat plains. Song is similar to that of Crested Lark. Call a short rattle, "Chureep."
American Barn Owl
Tyto furcata
Medium-sized owl with a heart-shaped facial disc and deep dark eyes; the only Tyto owl present across most of its range; on Hispaniola compare to Ashy-faced Owl. Varies across a wide range, but always note white-and-black speckling on the upperparts, beautiful gray-and-tawny wings, and large round head. Color of the facial disc and underparts varies from pure white to rusty orange. Hunts in open areas by night, foraging with a slow and buoyant flight. Roosts in old buildings, tree hollows, caves, and nest boxes by day. Gives a bone-chilling, rising shriek, as well as shorter rasping calls and insect-like clicks.
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