Eastern Crowned Warbler

The Eastern Crowned Warbler, Phylloscopus coronatus, presents itself as a medium-sized, robust leaf warbler, adorned with a vivid palette. Its upperparts are cloaked in a dark olive-green, while its underparts are a pristine white. A striking head pattern features dark, grey lateral crown stripes flanking an elusive yellowish median stripe. A prominent yellowish-white supercilium arches above a dark eye stripe, with dark lores and dusky yellow cheeks adding to its distinguished visage. A single pale wingbar adorns its wings, and its square tail exhibits a subtle fork. The bill is quite strong and pale, contrasting with its dark legs.

Identification Tips

When attempting to identify this species, look for the strong head pattern, the long yellowish-white supercilium, and the single pale wingbar. The robust bill and dark legs are also key characteristics that can aid in distinguishing the Eastern Crowned Warbler from other warblers.

Habitat

The Eastern Crowned Warbler is an inhabitant of open woodlands, both mixed and deciduous, favoring the lower to middle altitudes of mountains. In the northern reaches of its range, it can be found in the dense taiga.

Distribution

Breeding across eastern Siberia from the Argun River eastwards, this warbler's territory extends southwards into western Manchuria, central Sichuan, the Korean Peninsula, and Japan. Come winter, it migrates to the warmer climes of south-east Asia, from eastern India and Bangladesh all the way to Java.

Behaviour

This arboreal species is known to forage at various heights, from the canopy to lower vegetation, and is often found in mixed flocks with other small birds during winter and breeding seasons. Its presence is frequently betrayed by its melodious singing, and it exhibits flycatching behavior, darting out from perches to snatch insects mid-flight.

Song & Calls

The Eastern Crowned Warbler is often located by its frequent and distinctive singing, a behavior that is especially useful for birdwatchers trying to spot this elusive warbler.

Diet and Feeding

The Eastern Crowned Warbler engages in flycatching, sallying forth from perches to capture insects in the air, indicating an insectivorous diet.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List has classified the Eastern Crowned Warbler as Least Concern, suggesting that, for now, this species does not face immediate threats to its survival.