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Overview
Bougainville bush warbler

Bougainville bush warbler

Wikipedia

The Bougainville bush warbler or odedi is a bird species initially placed in the "Old World warbler" assemblage, but nowadays moved with its congeners to the new cettiid warbler family.

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Distribution

Region

Solomon Islands archipelago (northern portion)

Typical Environment

Endemic to Bougainville Island, where it inhabits dense hill and montane rainforest. It favors tangled understory, thickets, and bamboo or fern-rich slopes, often near forest edges, gaps, and along small streams. The species is most frequently encountered in secondary growth adjoining mature forest, where cover is dense. It avoids open habitats and plantations with sparse shrub layers.

Altitude Range

600–1800 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size12–14 cm
Wing Span16–19 cm
Male Weight0.012 kg
Female Weight0.013 kg
Life Expectancy5 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

Also known locally as the odedi, the Bougainville bush warbler is a secretive understory songbird restricted to Bougainville Island. It was formerly grouped within the broad 'Old World warblers' but is now placed in the Cettiidae (bush warblers) with its congeners. Its presence is often detected by its sharp, ringing song rather than by sight. The species was only described to science in the early 2000s, reflecting how elusive it is in dense montane thickets.

Behaviour

Temperament

solitary and territorial

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats, low over or within dense cover

Social Behavior

Typically encountered singly or in pairs, maintaining small territories in dense understory. Nests are placed low in thick vegetation, with both adults remaining close and secretive during breeding. Displays consist of singing from concealed perches and brief chases through thickets.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Song is a sharp, ringing series of metallic notes and trills delivered from deep cover, often repeated in steady phrases. Calls include thin tseet and dry tick notes used during contact and alarm.

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