Pallas's Leaf Warbler

Pallas's Leaf Warbler is a tiny songbird of eastern Asia, and is one of the smallest of all Old World warbler species. They breed in Siberia, Mongolia, and northeastern China.  Most overwinter in southeastern Asia, but small numbers are seen every winter in Europe as well.  In North America, they are known from a single sighting on St. Lawrence Island in 2006.

Habitat: Found in coniferous taiga and boreal forests during the summer breeding season, where it strongly prefers forest lands with thick undergrowth. In migration and during the winter, they will use a wider variety of habitats, including broadleaf forests and woodlands, and shrubs and thickets.

Diet: Feeds on insects and spiders.

Behavior: A very active forager, moving energetically through foliage in search of insects.  Prey may be consumed by gleaning from the vegetation's surface, or by flying out to capture insects in flight.  While foraging, they are constantly flicking their wings, behavior thought to enhance the bird's ability to flush insects.

Nesting: The nest of Pallas's Leaf Warbler is a dome structure with a side entrance, built of grasses, moss, rootlets, and leaves, and placed on the ground in a protected spot, such as next to a clump of grass, amidst tree roots, or near fallen logs.  The female lays between 4 and 7 eggs and incubates them for about 13 days.  Once the eggs hatch, both parents help take care of the young.  The young fledge about 2 weeks after hatching.

Song: The song of Pallas's Leaf Warbler is a series of clear whistles.

Migration: Pallas's Leaf Warblers breed in southern and southeastern Siberia, Mongolia, and northeastern China.  Strongly migratory, moving to southeastern China and Thailand for the winter.

Interactive eBird map: Click here to access an interactive eBird map of Pallas's Leaf Warbler sightings

Similar Species: In the Old World they may be confused with other small leaf warblers, although the strong head pattern and lemon-yellow rump help to distinguish it.

Conservation Status: Pallas's Leaf Warbler are found over a broad geographic area, are common in parts of their range, and overall populations are considered stable.  The IUCN lists the Pallas's Leaf Warbler as a species of "Least Concern".

Further Information: 1) Birdlife International - Lemon-rumped Warbler (Pallas's Leaf Warbler)

2) Wikipedia - Pallas's Leaf Warbler

3) AviBirds - Pallas's Leaf Warbler

Photo Information: Photo by Dave Curtis - October 15th, 2015 - North  Norfolk District, England, United Kingdom - Photo licensed under Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial NoDerivs 2.0 Generic License

 

Click below for a higher-resolution map

South Dakota Status: Non-resident in South Dakota

Additional Pallas's Leaf Warbler Photos (coming soon!!)