Dusky warbler

Phylloscopus fuscatus

Photo by Sergey Pisarevskiy (Flickr)

Common name:
dusky warbler (en); felosa-sombria (pt); pouillot brun (fr); mosquitero sombrío (es); dunkellaubsänger (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Sylviidae

Range:
This species breeds in northern Asia, from Siberia to eastern Russia, Mongolia, northern and central China, Korea and the eastern parts of the Himalayas. They migrate south to winter in south-east Asia.

Size:
These birds are 10-12,5 cm long and have a wingspan of 17-18 cm. They weigh about 12 g.

Habitat:
The dusky warbler is mostly found in scrublands and the understorey of boreal forests, and also in grasslands, marshes and bogs and vegetation along rivers. During winter they also use mangroves and arable land.

Diet:
They are mostly insectivorous, but also take small berries.

Breeding:
Dusky warblers breed in May-August. The nest is a small cup placed low in a scrub, where the female lays 4-6 eggs. The eggs are incubated for 11-13 days and the chicks fledge 12-14 days after hatching. Each pair raises a single brood per season.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is reported to be locally common. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.