Mountain Chiffchaff

Overview

The mountain chiffchaff (Phylloscopus sindianus) is a species of leaf warbler classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. It is an altitudinal migrant that resides in the Caucasus and Tian Shan regions, moving to lower levels during the winter months.

Identification

• The nominate subspecies features browner upperparts, buff flanks, and a finer, darker bill.
• The lorenzii subspecies is warmer and darker brown in colour.
• The song is almost identical to the common chiffchaff, but the call is described as a weak psew.

Habitat

This species is found in the Caucasus (subspecies P. s. lorenzii) and the Tian Shan (subspecies P. s. sindianus). It acts as an altitudinal migrant, shifting to lower elevations in winter.

Did you know?

Although the lorenzii subspecies is sympatric with the common chiffchaff in a small area in the Western Caucasus, interbreeding occurs rarely, if ever. The two subspecies are considered distinct based on vocalisations, external morphology, and mtDNA sequences.