Yellow-vented Warbler Phylloscopus cantator Scientific name definitions

10–11 cm; 6–7 g. A medium-sized leaf-warbler with much bright yellow in plumage. Has prominent head pattern of blackish crown side, bright yellow central crownstripe extending to nape, and long bright yellow supercilium; lores and eyestripe dark olive, cheek and ear-coverts yellow, washed with olive; upperparts grey-green, tips of greater upperwing-coverts yellow (prominent yellow wingbar), sometimes a faint wingbar on tips of median coverts; flight-feathers and tail feathers brown, edged bright yellow-green; chin to upper breast bright yellow, contrasting with silky white lower breast to vent and greyish flanks, bright yellow undertail-­coverts; iris dark brown; upper mandible brown, lower mandible straw-yellow; legs variably pinkish or yellowish-brown. Sexes alike. Juvenile is as adult, but upperparts duller, and yellow on underparts duller or yellowish-white. Race pernotus is very similar to nominate.

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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.

Breeds in dense broadleaf evergreen forest and bamboo, between 300 m and 2000 m; also teak (Tectona) plantations, and often near water. In non-breeding season found in open deciduous forest at lower levels, down to sea-level, but in Nepal also up to 1500 m.

Mostly resident; post-breeding descent to lower levels in much of range. Recorded in S China (S Yunnan) on seven occasions in Mar 1990, and on two occasions in Mar 2002. Vagrant to N Vietnam.

Food mostly small insects and larvae. Forages alone or in pairs in breeding season, when generally shy and remains within canopy cover; in winter, often in loose flocks and also joins mixed-species feeding parties. Actively forages in lower and middle levels of large trees, bushes and bamboo clumps; takes food items from within foliage, but also makes short dashing flights in pursuit of insects.

Song a series of several high-pitched notes ending with several slurred notes, “sit weet weet seep, seep, seep si-chu-chu to-you”, last note descending. Call a soft disyllabic “see-chew” with accent on second syllable, occasionally “see-chew-chew”; when calling, spreads tail and flicks it upwards.

Late Apr to Jun. Nest, built by both sexes, a ball-shaped structure of grasses, placed on ground among fallen leaves in roots of tall tree, in hollow in bank or low down in dense bush. Clutch 3–4 eggs; incubation by both sexes; no information on duration of incubation and nestling periods.

Not globally threatened. Restricted-range species: present in Eastern Himalayas EBA. Locally common; scarce in some parts of range. Uncommon and local in NE India; occurs in Namdapha National Park, in SE Arunachal Pradesh. Uncommon in Nepal, and very local in E of that country (where perhaps mainly a winter visitor). Status of nominate race in N Myanmar unclear; possibly breeds. Status in N & C Laos (race pernotus) uncertain; presumed to breed, but confirmation required.