Tytler's Leaf Warbler

The Tytler's leaf warbler, named in honor of the British naturalist Robert Christopher Tytler, is a diminutive and active songbird with a penchant for flitting through the foliage. This species, with its pointed face profile and thin bill, is a member of the Phylloscopidae family, having been reclassified from the former "Old World warbler" assemblage.

Identification Tips

When observing Tytler's leaf warbler, one may note the absence of wing bars, a characteristic feature of this species. The bill is slender, and a long exposed nasal groove runs along its length. The rictal bristles are short and sparse, and the feathering at the base of the beak is reduced, contributing to the bird's pointed facial appearance. Unlike its relatives, the lower mandible is neither flesh-colored as in most trochiloides nor dark black as in Phylloscopus collybita tristis.

Habitat

The natural abode of Tytler's leaf warbler is the subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, where it finds refuge and sustenance.

Distribution

This warbler graces the landscapes of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, and India. It undertakes a seasonal journey through the Western Himalayas to spend the winter months in the warmer climes of southern India, particularly favoring the Western Ghats and the Nilgiris.

Behaviour

Tytler's leaf warbler is a migratory bird, breeding in the Northwestern Himalayan region, with suspected breeding activity also occurring in the Garhwal and Kumaon Himalayas.

Conservation status

Currently, Tytler's leaf warbler is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. However, it faces threats from habitat loss, which could impact its numbers in the future.