Bianchi's Warbler

Bianchi's warbler is a small, active leaf warbler of the golden-spectacled group, with olive upperparts, yellow-toned underparts and a strongly patterned face and crown. It searches leaves and twigs for insects and other small invertebrates, often moving quickly enough that its calls are more dependable than a brief plumage view. Close relatives are extremely similar, and elevation, range and vocalisations should be considered together for identification (Wikipedia; Rheindt et al.).

The species occurs in China, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. It favours broadleaved evergreen and secondary forest, breeding mostly at elevations around 1,750–1,900 metres and above, with records reaching roughly 3,100 metres. Outside the breeding season it can descend to about 450 metres. This vertical movement brings it through several forest belts, but it remains primarily tied to wooded habitat rather than open country (BirdLife DataZone habitat account; Wikipedia, general species account).