🐦 Hume’s Leaf Warbler (Phylloscopus humei) – The Tiny Vocalist of the Canopy

The Hume’s Leaf Warbler is a small, insectivorous songbird known for its rapid movements and distinctive two-note call. Named after Allan Octavian Hume, a British ornithologist, this warbler is a winter migrant to India, including the Sundarbans, where it thrives in mangrove forests, scrublands, and woodlands.

🏷 Taxonomy

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Aves
• Order: Passeriformes
• Family: Phylloscopidae
• Genus: Phylloscopus
• Species: Phylloscopus humei

🎶 Recognized for its soft, high-pitched call, Hume’s Leaf Warbler is an expert insect hunter and a vital part of the Sundarbans ecosystem.

🔬 Morphology & Physical Characteristics

• Size: Small, about 9–10 cm (3.5–4 inches).
• Weight: Lightweight, around 5–7 grams.
• Coloration:
  • Olive-green to grayish-brown upper body for camouflage.
  • Pale yellowish-white underparts.
  • Faint yellow eyebrow stripe (supercilium) and dark eye-line.
• Distinct Features:
  • Short, thin beak, perfect for catching insects.
  • Constant flicking of wings and tail when foraging.
  • Fast, darting movements make it difficult to spot.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

The Hume’s Leaf Warbler thrives in forested habitats, woodlands, and scrublands, especially during winter migration.

🌎 Key Habitats:
✅ Sundarbans (India & Bangladesh) 🌿 – Found in mangrove forests during winter.
✅ Himalayas & Tibet 🌄 – Breeding range.
✅ Northern India, Myanmar, Thailand 🌏 – Wintering range.

📌 Preferred Habitat:

• Mangrove forests & tree canopies – Foraging zones.
• Riverine woodlands & shrubs – Provides shelter and food.
• Hilly regions & mixed forests – Breeding grounds.

✨ Special Features & Adaptations

1️⃣ Long-Distance Migrant – Travels thousands of kilometers between breeding and wintering grounds. 🛫
2️⃣ Insectivorous Diet – Feeds on flies, spiders, and small caterpillars. 🐛
3️⃣ Soft Yet Distinctive Call – A repetitive “tsip-tsip” sound, making it easy to identify. 🎶
4️⃣ Excellent Camouflage – Blends into foliage, making it hard to spot. 🍃
5️⃣ Rapid Wing Flicking – A signature behavior while perching or hunting. 🌳

🌿 Presence in the Sundarbans

The Sundarbans, with its dense tree canopies and insect-rich environment, serves as a seasonal habitat for Hume’s Leaf Warbler during winter migration.

📌 Key Areas in the Sundarbans:
✔ Mangrove tree canopies – Preferred for foraging.
✔ Scrublands & riverine forests – Sheltered habitats.
✔ Seasonal stopover sites – Seen between October to March.

⚠️ Threats & Conservation Challenges

🚨 Habitat Loss Due to Deforestation – Affects their wintering range.
🚨 Climate Change Impacting Migration – Alters food availability.
🚨 Declining Insect Populations – Affected by pesticide use.
🚨 Predation by Raptors – Being small, they are vulnerable to larger birds of prey.

✅ Conservation Efforts

✔ Mangrove & Forest Protection – Essential for their winter survival.
✔ Eco-Tourism Birdwatching Programs – Raising awareness.
✔ Pesticide-Free Conservation Zones – Ensuring a healthy insect population.

🚨 Conservation Status

📌 IUCN Red List: Least Concern (Stable Population).
📌 CITES: Not Listed.
📌 Indian Wildlife Protection Act: Schedule IV (Moderate Protection).

While not endangered, habitat destruction and climate change pose long-term risks to their survival.

The Hume’s Leaf Warbler is a tiny but significant bird that contributes to insect population control. Its seasonal presence in the Sundarbans highlights the importance of preserving mangrove ecosystems for migratory birds. By ensuring forest conservation and sustainable tourism, we can help protect this energetic songbird for future generations. 🌿🐦

🌟 Credit Note

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For more details, visit the Hume’s Leaf Warbler Wikipedia Page.