Leaf warbler

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Leaf warblers
Phybon.jpg
Willow warbler
(Phylloscopus trochilus)
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Superfamily: Sylvioidea
Family: Phylloscopidae
Alström, Ericson, Olsson, & Sundberg, 2006
Genus: Phylloscopus
F. Boie, 1826
Type species
Sylvia trochilus [1] = Motacilla trochilus
Latham, 1790
Species

See text

Leaf warblers are small insectivorous passerine birds belonging to the genus Phylloscopus.

Contents

Leaf warblers were formerly included in the Old World warbler family but are now considered to belong to the family Phylloscopidae, introduced in 2006. The family originally included the genus Seicercus , but all species have been moved to Phylloscopus in the most recent classification. Leaf warblers are active, constantly moving, often flicking their wings as they glean the foliage for insects along the branches of trees and bushes. They forage at various levels within forests, from the top canopy to the understorey. Most of the species are markedly territorial both in their summer and winter quarters. Most are greenish or brownish above and off-white or yellowish below. Compared to some other "warblers", their songs are very simple. Species breeding in temperate regions are usually strongly migratory.

Illustration of Phylloscopus bonelli, Phylloscopus coronatus, Phylloscopus trochilus, Phylloscopus sibilatrix by John Gerrard Keulemans Phylloscopus.jpg
Illustration of Phylloscopus bonelli , Phylloscopus coronatus , Phylloscopus trochilus , Phylloscopus sibilatrix by John Gerrard Keulemans

Description

The species are of various sizes, often green-plumaged above and yellow below, or more subdued with greyish-green to greyish-brown colours, varying little or not at all with the seasons. The tails are not very long and contain 12 feathers (unlike the similar Abroscopus species, which have 10 tail feathers). Many species are more easily identified by their distinctive songs than their dull plumage. [2] These are very small passerines with adult body masses that can vary from 3.5 to 17 g (0.12 to 0.60 oz) and in some cases, such as the Chinese leaf warbler, are among the lightest passerines anywhere. Several of the larger species are similar in size including the large-billed leaf warbler, Radde's warbler and the pale-legged leaf warbler. [3] Total length can vary from 9 to 14.5 cm (3.5 to 5.7 in). [4]

Distribution and habitat

Its members occur in Eurasia, ranging into Wallacea and Africa with one species, the Arctic warbler, breeding as far east as Alaska. Many of the species breed at temperate and high latitudes in Eurasia and migrate substantial distances to winter in southeastern Asia, India, or Africa. One example is Tickell's leaf warbler, which breeds in scrub at high elevation in the Himalayas and on the Tibetan Plateau and then moves down-slope and south to winter in the Himalayan foothills of India and Burma. [5] Most live in forest and scrub and many are canopy or sub-canopy dwellers.

Behavior and ecology

The family Phylloscopidae comprises many small tree-loving warbler species that feed by gleaning insects from leaves or catching food on the wing. [5]

Taxonomy

The genus Phylloscopus was introduced by the German zoologist Friedrich Boie in 1826 to accommodate a single species, the willow warbler, which is therefore considered as the type species. [6] [7] The name combines the Ancient Greek phullon meaning "leaf" and skopos meaning "seeker" (from skopeo, "to watch"). [8] Phylloscopus is the only genus placed in the family Phylloscopidae that was introduced in 2006 by the Swedish ornithologist Per Alström and coworkers. [9]

Aegithaloidea

Phylloscopidae – leaf warblers (81 species)

Hyliidae – hylias (2 species)

Aegithalidae – bushtits (13 species)

Erythrocercidae – flycatchers (3 species)

Scotocercidae – streaked scrub warbler

Cettiidae – bush warblers and allies (32 species)

Cladogram showing the family relationships based on a study by Carl Oliveros and colleagues published in 2019. [10] The number of species is taken from the bird list maintained by Frank Gill, Pamela Rasmussen and David Donsker on behalf of the International Ornithological Committee (IOC). [11]

The genus contains 81 species: [11] Of these, eleven species were formerly placed in the genus Seicercus, but a 2018 molecular phylogeny study indicated that the genus Seicercus is a synonym of Phylloscopus, leaving the family Phylloscopidae with a single genus, Phylloscopus. [12]

Two birds were described in 2020 but have not yet been recognised as species by the International Ornithologists' Union. [11] [15]

The alpine leaf warbler, Phylloscopus occisinensis, was reclassified as conspecific with Tickell's leaf warbler (P. affinis) by the IOC, but other authorities such as eBird still consider it distinct. [14] [16]

Related Research Articles

Old World warblers are a large group of birds formerly grouped together in the bird family Sylviidae. They are not closely related to the New World warblers. The family held over 400 species in over 70 genera, and were the source of much taxonomic confusion. Two families were split out initially, the cisticolas into Cisticolidae and the kinglets into Regulidae. In the past ten years they have been the subject of much research and many species are now placed into other families, including the Acrocephalidae, Cettiidae, Phylloscopidae, and Megaluridae. In addition some species have been moved into existing families or have not yet had their placement fully resolved. A smaller number of warblers, together with some babblers formerly placed in the family Timaliidae and the parrotbills, are retained in a much smaller family Sylviidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Common chiffchaff</span> Small migratory passerine bird found in Europe, Asia and north Africa

The common chiffchaff, or simply the chiffchaff, is a common and widespread leaf warbler which breeds in open woodlands throughout northern and temperate Europe and the Palearctic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greenish warbler</span> Species of bird

The greenish warbler is a widespread leaf warbler with a breeding range in northeastern Europe, and temperate to subtropical continental Asia. This warbler is strongly migratory and winters in India. It is not uncommon as a spring or early autumn vagrant in Western Europe and is annually seen in Great Britain. In Central Europe large numbers of vagrant birds are encountered in some years; some of these may stay to breed, as a handful of pairs does each year in Germany.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Green warbler</span> Species of bird

The green warbler, also known as green willow warbler or green leaf warbler, is a leaf warbler found in the Caucasus Mountains in southeastern Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hume's leaf warbler</span> Species of bird

Hume's leaf warbler or Hume's warbler is a small leaf warbler which breeds in the mountains of inner Asia. This warbler is migratory and winters mainly in India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tickell's leaf warbler</span> Species of bird

Tickell's leaf warbler is a leaf warbler found in Asia in the countries of Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Thailand. The species has a yellowish underside and supercilium. Like other leaf warblers it feeds mostly on insects by gleaning and short sallies. An active bird, it prefers the canopy and low shrubbery and can be difficult to track as it moves actively from branch to branch, acrobatically exploring the underside of leaves and twigs. The clear yellowish undersides and lack of a wing bar can be used to tell it apart from similar species. It has slim dark legs with largely pale lower mandible and grayish wing panel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timor leaf warbler</span> Species of bird

The Timor leaf warbler is a species of Old World warbler in the family Phylloscopidae. It is found on Timor island. Its closest relative is the Rote leaf warbler.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White-spectacled warbler</span> Species of bird

The white-spectacled warbler is a species of leaf warbler in the family Phylloscopidae. It is found in Asia from the eastern Himalayas to south-eastern China and southern Vietnam. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. It was formerly included in the Old World warbler family, Sylviidae.

<i>Seicercus</i> Genus of birds

Seicercus is a genus of Old World warbler formerly in the family Sylviidae but now placed in Phylloscopidae. Recent scientific studies have recommended synonymizing this genus with Phylloscopus, and are placed there.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Green-crowned warbler</span> Species of bird

The green-crowned warbler is a species of leaf warbler. It was formerly included in the "Old World warbler" assemblage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chestnut-crowned warbler</span> Species of bird

The chestnut-crowned warbler is a species of leaf warbler. It was formerly included in the "Old World warbler" assemblage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunda warbler</span> Species of bird

The Sunda warbler is a species of Old World warbler in the family Phylloscopidae. It is found only in Indonesia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellow-breasted warbler</span> Species of bird

The yellow-breasted warbler is a species of Old World warbler in the family Phylloscopidae. It is found in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Palawan Island in the Philippines. The species is most common on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo in Indonesia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.

Martens's warbler, also known as Omei warbler or Emei Shan warbler, is a species of Old World warbler in the family Phylloscopidae. It was first described in 1999. It is found in China and Myanmar. Its natural habitats are temperate forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grey-cheeked warbler</span> Species of bird

The grey-cheeked warbler is a species of leaf warbler. It was formerly included in the "Old World warbler" assemblage.

Alström's warbler, or the plain-tailed warbler, is a species of Old World warbler in the family Phylloscopidae. It was first described in 1999. It breeds only in China and winters as far as Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Its natural habitat is temperate forests.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grey-crowned warbler</span> Species of bird

The grey-crowned warbler is a species of Old World warbler in the family Phylloscopidae. It is found in Bangladesh, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. Its natural habitats are temperate forests, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bianchi's warbler</span> Species of bird

Bianchi's warbler is a species of leaf warbler. It was formerly included in the "Old World warbler" assemblage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whistler's warbler</span> Species of bird

Whistler's warbler is a species of leaf warbler. It was formerly included in the "Old World warbler" assemblage.

References

  1. ↑ "Phylloscopidae". aviansystematics.org. The Trust for Avian Systematics. Retrieved 2023-07-15.
  2. ↑ Baker, Kevin (2010-06-30). Warblers of Europe, Asia and North Africa. A&C Black. p. 17. ISBN   9781408131701.
  3. ↑ Dunning, John B. Jr., ed. (2008). CRC Handbook of Avian Body Masses (2nd ed.). CRC Press. ISBN   978-1-4200-6444-5.
  4. ↑ Winkler, D. W., S. M. Billerman, and I.J. Lovette (2020). Leaf Warblers (Phylloscopidae), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (S. M. Billerman, B. K. Keeney, P. G. Rodewald, and T. S. Schulenberg, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA.
  5. 1 2 "Lead-Warblers Phylloscopidae". creagrus.home.montereybay.com. 25 May 2006. Retrieved 2017-09-29.
  6. ↑ Mayr, Ernst; Cottrell, G. William, eds. (1986). Check-list of Birds of the World. Volume 11. Vol. 11. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Museum of Comparative Zoology. p. 221.
  7. ↑ Boie, Friedrich (1826). "Generalübersicht der ornithologischen Ordnungen Familien und Gattugen". Isis von Oken (in German). 19. col. 972.
  8. ↑ Jobling, James A. (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London: Christopher Helm. p. 305. ISBN   978-1-4081-2501-4.
  9. ↑ Alström, P.; Ericson, P.G.P.; Olsson, U.; Sundberg, P. (2006). "Phylogeny and classification of the avian superfamily Sylvioidea". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 38 (2): 381–397. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2005.05.015. PMID   16054402.
  10. ↑ Oliveros, C.H.; et al. (2019). "Earth history and the passerine superradiation". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 116 (16): 7916–7925. Bibcode:2019PNAS..116.7916O. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1813206116 . PMC   6475423 . PMID   30936315.
  11. 1 2 3 Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (January 2022). "Bushtits, leaf warblers, reed warblers". IOC World Bird List Version 12.1. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  12. ↑ Alström, P.; Rheindt, F.E.; Zhang, R.; Zhao, M.; Wang, J.; Zhu, X.; Gwee, C.Y.; Hao, Y.; Ohlson, J.; Jia, C.; Prawiradilaga, D.M.; Ericson, P.G.P.; Lei, F.; Olsson, U. (2018). "Complete species-level phylogeny of the leaf warbler (Aves: Phylloscopidae) radiation". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 126: 141–152. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2018.03.031. PMID   29631054. S2CID   4720300.
  13. ↑ Ng, Nathaniel. S. R.; Prawiradilaga, Dewi. M.; Ng, Elize. Y. X.; Suparno; Ashari, Hidayat; Trainor, Colin; Verbelen, Philippe; Rheindt, Frank. E. (2018). "A striking new species of leaf warbler from the Lesser Sundas as uncovered through morphology and genomics". Scientific Reports. 8 (1): 15646. Bibcode:2018NatSR...815646N. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-34101-7 . PMC   6199301 . PMID   30353148.
  14. 1 2 3 "Species Updates – IOC World Bird List" . Retrieved 2021-05-28.
  15. ↑ Rheindt, F.E.; Prawiradilaga, D.M.; Ashari, H.; Suparno; Gwee, C.Y.; Lee, G.W.X.; Wu, M.Y.; Ng, N.S.R. (2020). "A lost world in Wallacea: description of a montane archipelagic avifauna". Science. 367 (6474): 167–170. doi: 10.1126/science.aax2146 . PMID   31919216. See supplement.
  16. ↑ "Alpine Leaf Warbler - eBird". ebird.org. Retrieved 2021-06-18.

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