We are calling this the nominate subspecies of Yellowish-bellied Bush-Warbler, Cettia acanthizoides acanthizoides
Location: Wawushan Summit
Habitat: thick bamboo understory in open tall conifer forest
Altitude: 2700 m
Date: 8 June
Voice: harsh scolding churring and responding to plastic bag
[ Last edited by BirdExplorers at 25/06/2011 12:18 ] Author: Jonathmartinez Time: 27/06/2011 14:00
Hi Kevin,
This one looks also good for YB Bush Warbler, other option should be Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler, but the yellow washed on the undertails covert are diagnostic of this sp even not so easy to see on your pictures.
The song is unmystakable and is the best way to separate this 2 species.
You can find a record of its call (as well as its song) on the below link :
Jonathan Author: BirdExplorers Time: 27/06/2011 14:53
Dear Jonathan
Thanks for the confirmation. It was definitely a 'yellowish' cast as opposed to 'yellow', so the common name is actually quite diagnostic. One of the most easy birds to photograph well in Wawushan as they are quite confiding, although with their harsh scolding, I felt like I was not particularly welcomed ;-).
Kevin Author: Jonathmartinez Time: 27/06/2011 17:36
Hi Kevin,
This two species are really not so easy to separate and first winter seems to have no difference on plumage. That the reason why it is often much better to rely on voice. Maybe comments from more experienced birwatchers could be welcome to have a better opinion on this ID.
I will not affirm that it is, but your call description also match well. Also it is located to higher elevation, in Hunan (where elevation are lower than in Sichuan) it is a bird that I always find only near the top of the peak above 1800 meter, and only in dense bambou thicket.
Cheers,
Jonathan
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