Ijima's leaf warbler is a species of Old World warbler in the family Phylloscopidae. The species is native to Japan, where it has been designated a Natural Monument under the 1950 Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties, with records also from Taiwan and the Philippines.
Region
East Asia
Typical Environment
Breeds on subtropical islands of southern Japan, especially in evergreen broadleaf and mixed forests with dense understory. During non-breeding it disperses to nearby islands and northern Philippines, with occurrences on Taiwan and surrounding islets. It favors mature forest interiors, edges, and wooded ravines, but will also use secondary growth if canopy cover is retained. Wintering birds may join mixed-species flocks in forest and scrub. Fragmentation and development on small islands can limit suitable territories.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Ijima's leaf warbler is an Old World warbler native to Japan, where it is designated a Natural Monument. It breeds on southern Japanese islands and migrates south, with records from Taiwan and the Philippines. It is often detected by its high, thin trills rather than seen, as it forages high in dense foliage. Habitat loss on small islands makes local populations sensitive to disturbance.
![Ijima Isao (1861–1921), whose name the warbler bears[2]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dd/Ijima_Isao.jpg/960px-Ijima_Isao.jpg)
Ijima Isao (1861–1921), whose name the warbler bears[2]
![The eastern crowned warbler (Phylloscopus coronatus) may be distinguished by its crown stripe[15]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/61/Eastern_crowned_warbler%EF%BC%88Phylloscopus_coronatus%EF%BC%89%E3%82%BB%E3%83%B3%E3%83%80%E3%82%A4%E3%83%A0%E3%82%B7%E3%82%AF%E3%82%A4.jpg/1280px-Eastern_crowned_warbler%EF%BC%88Phylloscopus_coronatus%EF%BC%89%E3%82%BB%E3%83%B3%E3%83%80%E3%82%A4%E3%83%A0%E3%82%B7%E3%82%AF%E3%82%A4.jpg)
The eastern crowned warbler (Phylloscopus coronatus) may be distinguished by its crown stripe[15]
Temperament
shy and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile, darting movements
Social Behavior
Breeds in solitary pairs that defend small territories in dense forest. Nest is a domed or cup-shaped structure placed low in thick vegetation. Outside the breeding season it forages singly or in small groups and often joins mixed-species flocks. Parental care is shared, with both adults feeding nestlings.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Song is a high, thin series of trills and sweet, sibilant phrases delivered from canopy or mid-story perches. Calls include sharp tsip notes and soft contact chips used while foraging.
Plumage
Olive-green upperparts with paler whitish to yellowish underparts; clean, well-defined pale supercilium and a darker eyestripe. Wing shows pale edges forming faint to distinct wingbars. Fine, pointed bill and relatively dark legs typical of leaf warblers.
Diet
Primarily small insects and their larvae, including caterpillars, leaf beetles, and flies. Also takes spiders and other small arthropods gleaned from leaves and twigs. Occasionally sallies short distances to snatch flying prey. Diet shifts to whatever small invertebrates are abundant seasonally.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in the mid to upper canopy of evergreen broadleaf forests, along forest edges, and in dense secondary growth. Uses shaded ravines, streamside thickets, and coastal woodlands where foliage is abundant.
