Family Grasshopper-warblers and Grassbirds (Locustellidae)
Least Concern
Baikal Grasshopper-warbler (Locustella davidi)
Taxonomy
French: Locustelle de David German: Davidschwirl Spanish: Zarzalero de David
Other common names:
Siberian Bush-warbler,
Baikal Bush-warbler
Taxonomy:
Tribura thoracica davidi
La Touche
, 1923,Chinwangtao, north-east Hebei, China
.Previously placed in Bradypterus. Formerly considered conspecific with L. thoracica, but differs vocally, morphologically, genetically and in migratory behaviour; the two meet each other in C China (Sichuan, Gansu and Shaanxi)#R. Proposed race shanensis, described from specimens in non-breeding range (Myanmar), now considered to refer to suschkini, with which therefore synonymized; characters of stresemanni, described from SE Russia (Amurland), fall within range of variation of nominate. Two subspecies recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution
L. d. suschkini
(Stegmann, 1929) – SC Siberia from Altai E to SW Transbaikalia; non-breeding SE Asia (probably Myanmar and Thailand).
L. d. davidi
(La Touche, 1923) – SE Russia (SE Transbaikalia E to W Amurland) and NE China, probably also C China (C Sichuan, S Gansu and S Shaanxi); non-breeding SE Asia (probably N Indochina).
Descriptive notes
12 cm; c. 10 g (mean 9·7 g for 12 wintering individuals). A rather small, brown bush-warbler with relatively short, round-tipped tail, long brown undertail-coverts... read more
Voice
Song distinctive, an insect-like short, nasal rasp, “dzeeep” or similar, in series of up to 20 with... read more
Habitat
In breeding season, inhabits scrubby thickets by streams, in clearings of taiga forest, in hills... read more
Food and feeding
Few data. Food insects. Generally solitary. Keeps well hidden, feeding on or near ground; runs, holding tail partially cocked, and slips... read more
Breeding
Season Jun–Aug. Nest a rounded domed structure 9–10 cm tall, side entrance c. 4–5 cm in diameter, made of coarse grasses... read more
Movements
Highly migratory. After breeding, moves S to SE Asia; in E China (near Beijing), reported on autumn... read more
Status and conservation
Not assessed. Locally not uncommon in foothills around S end of L Baikal; farther S & W, in Sayan and Altai ranges, reportedly rare. Little information on numbers farther... read more
Status in NE India
After its first report in April 2012, which was then the first confirmed record for India, it has been regularly recorded every winter from Maguri Beel, Assam
http://indianbirds.in/pdfs/IB.9.3.Eaton.Das.BaikalBushWarbler.pdf
http://ebird.org/ebird/india/map/spobuw1?neg=true&env.minX=85.3457372906...