Tickell's leaf warbler is a leaf warbler found in Asia in the countries of Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Thailand. The species has a yellowish underside and supercilium. Like other leaf warblers it feeds mostly on insects by gleaning and short sallies. An active bird, it prefers the canopy and low shrubbery and can be difficult to track as it moves actively from branch to branch, acrobatically exploring the underside of leaves and twigs. The clear yellowish undersides and lack of a wing bar can be used to tell it apart from similar species. It has slim dark legs with largely pale lower mandible and grayish wing panel.
Region
Himalayas and South Asia
Typical Environment
Breeds in the Himalayan foothills and montane forests from Pakistan east through Nepal, Bhutan, and into parts of China and northern Myanmar. In the non-breeding season it descends and disperses widely across the Indian subcontinent, reaching Bangladesh, peninsular India, Sri Lanka (locally), and into Thailand and Myanmar lowlands. Prefers forest edges, oak–rhododendron and conifer stands, and mixed broadleaf woodlands during breeding. In winter it frequents scrub, secondary growth, orchards, parks, and gardens, often from the lower canopy to shrubs. It is typically associated with leafy canopies where it can glean insects from the undersides of leaves.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 3700 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Tickell's leaf warbler is a small, restless canopy-forager that gleans insects from foliage and makes short sallies to snatch prey. It is best told by its clear yellow underparts, bright yellow supercilium, lack of a wing bar, and a pale lower mandible with slim dark legs. In winter it often joins mixed-species flocks and can be surprisingly confiding in gardens and scrub. Its thin, high-pitched calls help locate it as it moves acrobatically along twig undersides.
P. a. affinis in Nilbarahi forest Bhaktapur, Nepal.
Temperament
active and restless
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick flits between branches
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs while breeding, keeping to the canopy and upper shrubs. In the non-breeding season it readily joins mixed-species foraging flocks. Nests are typically well-concealed cups placed low in shrubs or in dense ground vegetation on mountain slopes. Territorial singing males advertise from exposed perches during the breeding season.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Song is a series of thin, high-pitched trills and sweet whistles delivered in short phrases. Calls are soft, sibilant 'tsee' or 'tsit' notes, often repeated as the bird moves through foliage.
Plumage
Olive-green to greenish-olive upperparts with a grayish wing panel, clean yellowish underside, and a bright yellow supercilium. No wing bar; fine, neat feathering overall with a compact, slim appearance.
Diet
Feeds mainly on small insects and their larvae, including caterpillars, aphids, and beetles, as well as spiders. It gleans from leaf surfaces and twig tips and frequently inspects the undersides of leaves. Short aerial sallies are made to capture flushed or flying prey. During winter it may take tiny invertebrates from low shrubs and garden vegetation.
Preferred Environment
Forages in the lower to mid canopy of forests, woodland edges, and scrub. In winter it also uses secondary growth, orchards, and urban parks where leafy cover is available.
