Arctic Warbler

Scientific Name: Phylloscopus borealis

Malay Name: Cekup-Daun Artik

Chinese Name: 极北柳莺

Range: Found from northern Eurasia, Siberia, northeast China, Japan to Alaska and winters to Southeast Asia

Taxonomy: Monotypic.

Size: 12.5-13 cm

Identification: Adult has yellowish-white supercilium, olive-green crown and upperparts with one or two narrow wing bars (indistinct when worn), whitish-grey underparts, and dark tip to lower mandible. Eastern Crowned Warbler is similar but has white median crown stripe (may be indistinct on forecrown), greener upperparts, and longer, more distinct supercilium.

Similar looking species: Dusky Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler, Sakhalin Leaf Warbler, Eastern Crowned Warbler, Pale-legged Leaf Warbler

Habitat: Forest, forest edge, wooded areas, mangroves, parks and gardens.

Behaviour/Ecology: Frequents the canopy.

Local Status: Very common migrant

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2016)

Location: Any suitable patch of habitat like Central Catchment Forest, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Pasir Ris Park, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, etc.

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Migrant bar chart (see more bar charts):

Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis
Estimated average number of individuals by week based on eBird data, Jul 2013 to Jun 2023
Peak week Dec 24-Dec 30
Early date 22 Aug 2015
Late date 20 May 1990
The commonest Phylloscopus warbler in Singapore. By early Oct, this species can be found in numbers across the island.

References:

BirdLife International. (2016). Phylloscopus borealis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T103845882A87673832.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023

Jeyarajasingam, A., & Pearson, A. (2012). A Field Guide to the Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. Oxford University Press.

Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.

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