Hume's Leaf Warbler

Overview

Hume's leaf warbler (Phylloscopus humei) is a small, migratory passerine that breeds in the mountains of inner Asia and winters primarily in India. It is a common bird throughout its wide range and is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Plumage: Greenish upperparts with off-white underparts, overall duller colours than the yellow-browed warbler.
• Markings: Features a long supercilium, crown stripe, and yellow-margined tertial remiges, with one prominent light wing bar and a faint vestige of a second.
• Bill and Legs: Possesses a dark lower mandible and dark legs.
• Vocalisation: Emits a buzzing, high-pitched song and a more disyllabic call compared to similar species.

Habitat

This species inhabits mountain woodlands at altitudes of up to 3,500 m ASL, ranging from the Hindu Kush and Karakoram east and north to the Tien Shan and Altay Mountains, while the eastern subspecies occurs on the Tibetan Plateau. Both populations migrate over the Himalayas to winter in India and adjacent regions.

Diet

Hume's leaf warbler is insectivorous, consistent with most Old World warblers. It is constantly in motion and builds its nest on the ground.

Did you know?

Despite breeding thousands of kilometres away, this tiny warbler is prone to vagrancy on autumn migration, occasionally appearing as a rare vagrant in Great Britain and western Europe.