Gray-hooded Warbler Phylloscopus xanthoschistos Scientific name definitions

10–11 cm; 6–9 g. Small, conspicuous arboreal warbler with bright yellow underparts , lacking obvious eyering or wingbars shown by similar species. Nominate race has medium-grey hood extending to ear-coverts and mantle, diffusely darker grey ­lateral crownstripe and eyestripe, and greyish-white supercilium; upperparts, including wings, olive-green, washed yellow, brightest on rump and uppertail-coverts; flight-feathers brown, fringed yellow-green (when plumage fresh); tail feathers brown, extensively fringed yellowish-olive, white inner webs of outermost pair; throat and entire underparts canary-yellow, washed olive on breast sides and flanks; underwing-coverts pale yellow; iris dark brown, narrow whitish broken eyering; upper mandible dark brown, lower mandible fleshy-orange; legs fleshy-yellow to brown, soles paler. Sexes alike. Juvenile is similar to adult, but has crown lighter grey, washed olive (most noticeable on forehead), upperparts duller, more olive-green, and underparts paler and duller yellow. Races vary mainly in depth of plumage colour: <em>albosuperciliaris</em> is palest; <em>jerdoni</em> is slightly darker than nominate; flavogularis is darker overall, distinctly slate-grey on head and mantle, more strongly washed with olive on flanks; tephrodiras is similarly dark, but has green (not grey) mantle.

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Previously placed in Seicercus; see Phylloscopidae. Geographical variation somewhat clinal, plumage becoming paler from E to W; races albosuperciliaris and jerdoni often treated as synonyms of nominate; proposed race pulla (described from Mishmi Hills, in NE India) merged with flavogularis. Birds from SE Tibet of uncertain racial identity, tentatively included in last-mentioned race. Five subspecies recognized.

Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Montane forests; inhabits both broadleaf forest, chiefly oak (Quercus), and mixed broadleaf and coniferous forest, especially open forest with shrubbery and glades. Breeds chiefly between 900 m and 2750 m, with optimum zone 1500–2100 m. In non-breeding season, also in foothills, some individuals even penetrating into upper limits of plains, where may also be encountered in gardens and waterside trees .

Basically resident. Some post-breeding descent to lower elevations, including foothills, some reaching plains in N Pakistan ; rarely encountered on passage in Bangladesh.

Feeds almost entirely on tiny spiders (Araneae) and insects, including small caterpillars; small berries also taken. Forages chiefly in mid-canopy, to lesser extent also in both lower and upper canopy; although forages in low bushes, rarely descends to ground level (except when nesting, or to drink). Feeds restlessly within outer foliage, frequently flicking wings and flashing tail; gleans items from foliage. Also, small flies (Diptera) taken on the wing during short flycatcher-like sallies. Outside breeding season, small numbers may be scattered among mixed-species flocks.

Song a series of short, cheerful phrases, as “tsi-tsi-tsi-weetee” or “tsi-weetsi-weetsi-weetu-ti-tu”, often incessantly repeated. Call a high-pitched repeated “psit-psit”; also a plaintive “tyee-tyee”, probably as anxiety or alarm call.

Mar–Aug (chiefly May–Jun), coinciding with start of wet season. Nest built by both sexes, mainly by female, a globular, domed construction of green moss and grass stems, lined with fur, hair and down, well concealed on ground, hidden below bushes and often among tree roots, or in hollow on sloping bank. Clutch 3–5 eggs, usually 4; incubation mostly by female, male undertaking some duties, period 10 or 11 days; no information on nestling period. Nests parasitized by Himalayan Cuckoo (Cuculus saturatus).

Not globally threatened. Common and widespread throughout core range in Nepal, Bhutan and N India; distinctly uncommon towards W & E limits of range in Pakistan, Kashmir and Myanmar. Owing to lively nature and constant calling, this is one of the most conspicuous of all Himalayan warblers; tolerant of human habitation, where may be encountered about hill villages with trees, especially in winter. Forest, including secondary forest, is reasonably intact in much of range.