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Subject: Blyth's Leaf Warbler-Wawushan Sichuan [Print This Page]

Author: BirdExplorers Time: 25/06/2011 12:16 Subject: Blyth's Leaf Warbler-Wawushan Sichuan

We are calling this the nominate subspecies of Blyth's Leaf-Warbler, Phylloscopus reguloides reguloides. However with the proliferation of Sichuan Phylloscopus species, including Emei Leaf-Warbler, Sichuan Leaf-Warbler and Chinese Leaf-Warbler, we are not positive.

Location: Wawushan, Sichuan, China
Habitat: bushy deciduous forest on mid-slopes
Altitude: 1930 m
Date: 2 June
Voice: not singing but foraging and feeding on small green caterpillar. Also flicking wings one side at a time.

Untitled by BirdExplorers, on Flickr

Untitled by BirdExplorers, on Flickr

Appreciate any comments or confirmation on identification.

Thanks
Kevin
Co-Director
Bird Explorers
Sydney-Bangkok
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[ Last edited by BirdExplorers at 25/06/2011 13:06 ]

Author: Jonathmartinez Time: 26/06/2011 12:50

To me it looks like Latouche's Leaf Warbler (Phylloscopus claudiae),recent split from Blyth's Leaf Warbler.

Author: BirdExplorers Time: 26/06/2011 13:25

Thanks for the tip. We are following Clement's so we still consider Phylloscopus reguloides claudiae to be a subspecies of Blythe's, but that would still mean we assigned the wrong subspecies. Is there any particular reason/s you would favour Phylloscopus reguloides claudiae over Phylloscopus reguloides reguloides? We have never photographed or recorded claudiae, so we have no familiarity with it. Is there any good data about elevation or geographic constraints of these subspecies in general in Sichuan/Yunnan or in the Wawushan area? I know the realm of phylloscopus subspecies is a bit esoteric, but it is still quite fascinating.

Thanks, Kevin

Author: Jonathmartinez Time: 27/06/2011 13:05

Just because some features eliminate the other species you've mentioned, and because claudiae should be the one occuring in this part of Sichuan. I don't have the features to separate reguloides from claudiae, maybe some others could confirmed.
claudiae is a common phylloscopus in the mountain of NW Hunan, where it can be found above 1200 meter.
Below a link where you could find a good set of claudiae pictures.

http://www.netfugl.dk/pictures.p ... es&birdid=17529
Cheers,

Jonathan

Author: BirdExplorers Time: 27/06/2011 13:28

Dear Jonathan

Thanks for your help. That link is fantastic and seems to match our bird in all aspects. I have a thread up on Bird Forum, and the consensus is also claudiae.

Kevin

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