Pleske's Grasshopper Warbler
Helopsaltes pleskei
The brownest of the Asian grasshopper-warblers, with the least contrasting brow stripe and darkest underparts. Breeds in dense grassy areas on small islands off the coasts of Japan, far eastern Russia, and the Korean Peninsula, where it may be seen perched on the top of a bush singing. On its wintering grounds, it can be found (with great luck) in various areas with dense vegetation cover, including mangroves, overgrown gardens, and shrubby patches. Song is simpler than that of other grasshopper-warblers, usually just one repeated note.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Helopsaltes pleskei
- Authority
- (Taczanowski, 1890)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Locustellidae
- Genus
- Helopsaltes
Range and habitat
- Breeding range
- PAL : islands off far e Russia, the Korean Pen. and s Japan
- Non-breeding range
- coastal se China and n Vietnam
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Yellow-rumped Munia
Lonchura flaviprymna
Small finchlike bird with brown wings, pale bill, and yellowish rump. Found in areas with tall grass, often in flocks beside rivers or floodplains, sometimes mixed with other seed-eating species. Pale gray head contrasts with dark brown back and wings, underparts pale buff, and rump and tail dark yellowish tone. Juvenile very plain, easily confused with juvenile Chestnut-breasted (which has less uniform upperparts) or Pictorella Munia (which has shadow pattern of dark ear coverts, recalling adult’s).
White-throated Screech-Owl
Megascops albogularis
Large screech-owl found in temperate forests, typically from around 2,300–3,400 m. Quite dark brown overall with small pale spots and bars covering head, back, and wings. Belly is paler tawny with dark streaks. White throat patch is usually obvious. Sexes similar. Strictly nocturnal and thus more often heard than seen; listen for a fairly short and slow series of toots that descends in pitch, often given as a duet.
Plume-toed Swiftlet
Collocalia affinis
The iridescent blue back is the best way to distinguish this species from other swiftlets within its range, but this feature is typically only visible when the bird is flying low (often over water) or on the nest. Relatively well-demarcated white belly and dark rump also serve to distinguish this species from Aerodramus swiftlets. Common and well-adapted to human habitation, nesting socially in both caves and manmade structures. Flies in flocks over forests, fields, and water bodies. Gives sharp grating twitters at the nest, but generally quiet.
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