Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler

The Pallas's grasshopper warbler, also known as the rusty-rumped warbler, is a medium-sized member of the Old World warbler family. It exhibits a streaked brown back and whitish grey underparts, which are largely unstreaked except for the undertail. Both sexes appear identical, a common trait among warblers. Juveniles tend to have a yellower hue below. A distinctive feature of this bird is the white tips on the tail and tertial feathers, which have inspired the mnemonic nickname "PG Tips" due to their resemblance to the popular tea brand's logo.

Identification Tips

When attempting to identify the Pallas's grasshopper warbler, look for its larger size compared to the common grasshopper warbler, as well as the white-tipped tail and tertial feathers. The bird's warmer brown rump also sets it apart from its relatives.

Habitat

This species thrives in tall grasslands interspersed with thicker vegetation, often found near water sources such as bogs or wet meadows. It is known to nest on the ground amidst grass, where it lays between 4 to 7 eggs.

Distribution

The Pallas's grasshopper warbler breeds across the eastern Palearctic, spanning from the Altai Mountains through Mongolia, Transbaikalia, northeastern China, the Korean Peninsula, and onto the islands in the Sea of Okhotsk, including Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands. It is a migratory bird, wintering from India to Indonesia and is considered a rare migrant in Sri Lanka.

Behaviour

This warbler is notoriously elusive, often remaining hidden as it moves through grass and low foliage. It is most likely to be seen when it is singing, though even then, it remains a challenge to spot.

Song & Calls

The song of the Pallas's grasshopper warbler is a creative melody, more akin to the tunes of Acrocephalus warblers than the mechanical insect-like reeling of the common grasshopper warbler and other Locustella species.

Subspecies

There are five recognized subspecies of the Pallas's grasshopper warbler:

• H. c. rubescens
• H. c. sparsimstriatus
• H. c. certhiola
• H. c. centralasiae
• H. c. minor

Diet and Feeding

As with most warblers, the Pallas's grasshopper warbler is insectivorous, feeding on a variety of insects found within its grassland habitat.

Conservation status

The Pallas's grasshopper warbler is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it is not at immediate risk of widespread decline.