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

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Fairly common but often inconspicuous small diving bird of wetlands with bordering reeds and other vegetation. Often remains out of sight; less often out on open water (mainly in winter). Rather compact, with rounded head, puffy rear end. Seen mainly as singles and small loose flocks, often sleeping during the day. Breeding plumage often looks dark overall; in good light note dark rusty head and neck sides with yellow patch at base of bill. Nonbreeding plumage dingy pale brownish overall with dark cap.
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