Warbler, is a small species of Old World warbler in the family Phylloscopidae.[2] It is native to the Himalayas, breeding in montane forests and wintering in the southern foothills and the Purvanchal Range.[3] The species is structurally identical to the Sichuan Leaf Warbler (Phylloscopus forresti), but differs in vocalizations.[4]
Taxonomy
The Lemon-rumped Warbler was once grouped with the Sichuan Leaf Warbler (Phylloscopus forresti) and was previously classified within P. proregulus. Vocal and genetic studies confirmed its separation as a distinct species.[4] Related taxa in China, including P. kansuensis and P. yunnanensis, are also now recognized as separate.[2]
Description
The Lemon-rumped Warbler is 9–10 cm long and weighs about 4.6–5.1 g.[2] It has a whitish crown stripe bordered by darker olive-brown sides, a pale line above the eye, and a dark eyestripe that often curves downward. The upperparts are greenish-grey, and the rump is yellowish or whitish, which gives the species its name. The wings are grey-brown with green edging and usually show one or two pale wingbars. The underparts are whitish or buff with some grey along the breast sides. The bill is dark with a yellowish or orange base to the lower mandible, and the legs are dark grey.[2] Males and females are similar, though females are slightly smaller. Juveniles resemble adults. Two subspecies are recognized: one in the central and eastern Himalayas and another in the west, which shows greener and more buff-toned plumage.[2]
Distribution and habitat
The species breeds across the Himalayas from northern Pakistan through Nepal into India, Bhutan, and China.[3] In winter, it descends to lower elevations, reaching Assam and occasionally Myanmar, though its presence in Afghanistan is uncertain.[3] It inhabits montane forests between 2 200 and 4 200 meters above sea level. In Pakistan it is most frequent at elevations of 2 200–2 700 m, while in Nepal it ranges up to 4 000 m. Winter records occur from 300–2 700 m, generally above 1 000 m. Breeding habitat includes spruce and fir forests with rhododendron and broadleaf trees, as well as oak and lower-elevation broadleaf stands near the conifer zone.[2]
Behavior
Movements
The species makes altitudinal movements, breeding higher in summer and descending to lower elevations in winter.[3]
Feeding
Its diet consists mainly of insects and larvae. It forages alone or in pairs in winter but also joins mixed-species flocks. Foraging occurs in the canopy and understory, often involving short hovering or sallies to catch prey in the air—a behavior known as flycatching.[2]
Vocalizations
Two song types are reported: a short trill followed by a lower trill lasting 2–4 seconds, and a longer, varied series of notes that may last several minutes. The call is a sharp, high “pist” or “psit.”[4]
Breeding
Breeding occurs from April to July, with the majority of activity taking place in May and June. The nest is a ball-shaped structure with a side entrance, built by the female from grass, moss, lichen, and birch bark, and lined with feathers. Nests are placed 2–15 m above the ground, usually in conifers. Clutches contain 3–5 eggs, most often four. The female incubates the eggs, and both adults feed the young.[2]
Conservation
The Lemon-rumped Warbler is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.[5] It is widespread across the Himalayas with stable populations. Much of its range lies within protected areas, and no major threats are currently reported.[5] Localized logging or habitat alteration may affect populations, but the species is able to adapt to a range of montane forests.[5]
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Lemon-rumped Warbler (Phylloscopus chloronotus)". Birds of the World. Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
1 2 3 4 "Lemon-rumped Warbler – Species Map". eBird. Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
1 2 3 "Phylloscopus chloronotus – Avibase". Avibase – the World Bird Database. Bird Studies Canada / BirdLife International. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
1 2 3 "Phylloscopus chloronotus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
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