English Name : Eastern Crowned Warbler
Scientific Name : Phylloscopus coronatus
Eastern Crowned Warbler was first described as Ficedula coronata by Temminck and Schlegel in 1847. Since then, it had been treated as a
subspecies of Western Crowned Warbler Phylloscopus occipitalis. . However, recently, both taxa have been treated as separate species
through molecular data and vocalization.
Eastern Crowned Warbler breeds in south-eastern Transbaikalia, Lower Amur
Basin, south-eastern Manchuria, Ussuriland, Korea, and Japan. In Japan,
it commonly breeds in the four main islands (Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku,
and Kyushu) and on Sado, but recently seems to be on the decline. Its breeding
area is in the lowest altitude among the basic Japanese Phylloscopus (Arctic, Sakhalin Leaf, and Eastern Crowned Warblers).
The peak of spring migration is in mid-May in Honshu. And the peak of autumn
migration is in August, earlier than Arctic Warbler. They are almost not
seen at all in October in Japan.
By the way, I had to write this description while drinking spirits. You
can find the reason below !
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1. 21th May 1996 Hegura-jima, Wajima-shi, Ishikawa Pref. The size is intermediate between Arctic and Sakhalin Leaf Warblers, but usually seems similar in size to both of the other species in the field. Note the pale median crown-stripe, that is lacking in Arctic and Sakhalin Leaf Warblers. The bill looks slightly longer and thinner than those on Arctic and Sakhalin Leaf Warblers. The supercilium is usually paler than Arctic Warbler, and thinner in front of the eye than behind. The upperparts are rather more greenish than Arctic and Sakhalin Leaf. The top of the head is often peaked. The call is a single, short and soft "fit". The song is "chi-yo,chi-yo, vee". It is also transcribed from the Japanese as "shochu ippai gwee". "shochu" is one of the Japanese spirits. "ippai" means "a cup of" and "gwee" expresses the drinking sound. Therefore, this song transcription expresses "drinking a cup of spirits" ! Of course though, the birds are not drinkers. However, when I write such a description, I naturally want to drink ! |
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2. 21th May 1996 Hegura-jima, Wajima-shi, Ishikawa Pref. The median crown-stripe is easy to see in a behind view.The sides of the head are distinctively darker than the mantle. The primary projection is slightly shorter than with Arctic Warbler, but it is hard to confirm in the field. Eastern Crowned Warbler has double wing-bars, at least in fresh plumages, while some authors (e.g. Baker 1997, MacKinnon & Phillipps 2000) described it as having a single wing-bar. |
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3. May, 2001 Hegura-jima, Wajima-shi, Ishikawa Pref. The lower mandible is all pale, lacking the dark spot. The throat, breast, and belly are more whiteish in comparison to the Arctic Warbler. |
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4. 22th May 1992 Hegura-jima, Wajima-shi, Ishikawa Pref. The undertail-coverts are yellowish in contrast to the whiteish underparts. This is a useful ID point. Arctic and Sakhalin Leaf Warblers have paler undertail-coverts. |
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5. 2 Sep. 2002 Hegura-jima, Wajima-shi, Ishikawa Pref. This is autumn migatory bird. Autumn migration's peak for this species is in August, earlier than other Phylloscopus warblers. This individual's age is unknown. However, the distinctive wingbars, supercillium and median crown-stripe suggests that its plumages are not worn. The supercilium of this bird is narrower at the rear than with spring individuals. |