Radde's Warbler
Phylloscopus schwarzi
Small, chunky songbird. Brown overall with a pale throat, thick pinkish bill, and a black-bordered white supercilium that is buff-tinged in front. The smaller Dusky Warbler has brownish tinge toward the back of the brow. The similar Yellow-streaked Warbler is a grayer shade of brown, has a clean white supercilium, and has different vocalizations. Favors open taiga forest and forest edge for breeding, often in wet brushy thickets or along streams. Sings from both exposed and hidden perches, giving a ringing trill with several variations. Difficult to detect on the wintering grounds, where it skulks in dense vegetation in both wet and dry areas; listen for its frequently repeated “chuk” and “pit” calls.
Identification
This is a warbler similar in size to a willow warbler. The adult has an unstreaked brown back and buff underparts. There is a very long prominent whitish supercilium, and the pointed bill is thicker than that of the similar dusky warbler. The legs are paler than dusky's, and the feet look large, reflecting the more terrestrial lifestyle of this warbler. The sexes are identical, as with most warblers, but young birds are yellower below. The call is a soft chick.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Phylloscopus schwarzi
- Authority
- (Radde, 1863)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Phylloscopidae
- Genus
- Phylloscopus
Range and habitat
Radde's warbler breeds in southern parts of Central and Eastern Siberia as far east as Korea and Manchuria. It is a migratory species and spends the winter in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand. In its breeding range, Radde's warbler is found in open deciduous woodlands with some undergrowth and bushy woodland margins, often near water. In its winter quarters it occupies the fringes of forests, thick scrub and bushy places near woodland. Like most Old World warblers, this small passerine bird is insectivorous.
- Breeding range
- PAL : e Kazakhstan and s Russia to se Russia and North Korea
- Non-breeding range
- se Asia
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Morrison's Fulvetta
Alcippe morrisonia
Active small songbird, endemic to Taiwan. Brown above, white below, with gray head, large white eyering, thin black borders in crown (hard to see at times), and buffy wash in flanks. Very social, often moving in large flocks, sometimes mixed with other species. Inhabits forested regions from the lowlands up into montane forests. Gives harsh, grating chipping and whirring notes while moving in flocks. Song is short but sweet: a melodious warble followed by a hoarse whistle.
Sharp-tailed Ibis
Cercibis oxycerca
A medium-sized wading bird, mostly black with a red bill and legs. Relatively long tail projection imparts a long-bodied appearance which is enhanced by its short legs. At close range, note bare red throat and orbital skin. Occurs in open wetlands and seasonally flooded savannas, usually in pairs or small groups, probing in mud, shallow water, or soft ground for invertebrates and fish. Unusual, far-carrying call is a single, horn-like note, often given in duet by pairs, with one higher-pitched than the other; the overall effect is like the braying of a donkey. Larger and longer-tailed than Bare-faced Ibis, much more vocal, and does not occur in large groups.
Christmas Island Boobook
Ninox natalis
Small, distinctive boobook with extensive chestnut-brown barring. Favors surviving primary rainforest, but can sometimes be found in secondary growth; can be found on roadsides through suitable habitat when hunting. The only resident owl on the island; the migratory Northern Boobook is a winter visitor to the island, and is significantly larger and much darker overall, with an all-brown head and brown-striped white underparts. Present species gives an odd, distorted-sounding “qwr-qwerk.” Begging birds give a shrill trill. Unfortunately, like many other Christmas Island species, has suffered declines due to the introduced yellow crazy ant, which has caused the owl to disappear from parts of its range.
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