🐦 Tickell’s Leaf Warbler (Phylloscopus affinis) – The Agile Canopy Dweller

The Tickell’s Leaf Warbler is a small, energetic passerine bird known for its rapid movements and high-pitched song. This warbler, named after British ornithologist Samuel Tickell, is primarily found in woodlands, scrublands, and riverine forests, including parts of the Sundarbans, where it can be spotted during migration.

🏷 Taxonomy

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

🎶 A skilled insect hunter, the Tickell’s Leaf Warbler plays an essential role in controlling insect populations in its habitats.

🔬 Morphology & Physical Characteristics

• Size: Small, about 10–11 cm (4 inches).
• Weight: Lightweight, around 5–7 grams.
• Coloration:
  • Olive-green to yellowish-brown upper body for camouflage.
  • Pale yellowish-white underparts.
  • Distinct white or pale-yellow eyebrow stripe (supercilium).
• Distinct Features:
  • Slender, pointed beak, specialized for picking insects.
  • Thin legs with strong claws, allowing it to perch easily.
  • Constantly flits between branches, searching for food.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

The Tickell’s Leaf Warbler inhabits forested regions, scrublands, and riverine ecosystems.

🌎 Key Habitats:
✅ Sundarbans (India & Bangladesh) 🌿 – Winter migrant, seen in mangrove fringes.
✅ Himalayan Foothills & Northeast India 🌳 – Breeding range.
✅ Myanmar, Thailand, and Southeast Asia 🌏 – Common wintering areas.

📌 Preferred Habitat:

• Dense forests & mangrove edges – Provides food and protection.
• Bushy scrublands & hilly regions – Used for nesting in breeding areas.
• Riverbanks & wetlands – Attracts insects, their main food source.

✨ Special Features & Adaptations

1️⃣ Hyperactive Forager – Always moving through leaves, picking small insects and larvae. 🐛
2️⃣ Camouflaged Plumage – Helps blend in with foliage to avoid predators. 🍃
3️⃣ Long-Distance Migrant – Travels hundreds to thousands of kilometers during seasonal changes. 🛫
4️⃣ Melodious, Repetitive Call – Used for territorial defense and communication. 🎶
5️⃣ Strong Feet for Perching – Allows it to move quickly between tree branches. 🌳

🌿 Presence in the Sundarbans

Although the Tickell’s Leaf Warbler is not a resident species, it is frequently spotted in the Sundarbans during migration.

📌 Key Areas in the Sundarbans:
✔ Mangrove tree canopies – Active among branches hunting insects.
✔ Shrubby undergrowth & forest edges – Prefers mixed vegetation zones.
✔ Seasonal stopover sites near riverbanks – Found during migration periods (September–April).

⚠️ Threats & Conservation Challenges

🚨 Habitat Loss & Deforestation – Loss of woodlands reduces their nesting and feeding grounds.
🚨 Climate Change – Affects migration patterns and food availability.
🚨 Pesticide Use – Reduces the availability of insect prey.
🚨 Predation by Larger Birds – Being small, it often falls prey to raptors and other avian hunters.

✅ Conservation Efforts

✔ Forest Conservation Initiatives – Protecting natural tree cover.
✔ Sustainable Eco-Tourism – Raising awareness about bird conservation.
✔ Wetland & Mangrove Protection – Preserving stopover sites for migratory birds.

🚨 Conservation Status

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

Although the population is currently stable, habitat loss could threaten their long-term survival.

The Tickell’s Leaf Warbler is a small but vital bird species that helps regulate insect populations. Its presence in the Sundarbans during migration makes it an exciting sight for birdwatchers. By preserving forests, mangroves, and wetland habitats, we can ensure this migratory species continues to thrive in its natural range. 🌿🐦

🌟 Credit Note

🌿 Experience the wilderness of Sundarbans with a Sundarban private tour. 🛶✨
🌍 Plan a thrilling Sundarban trip to explore exotic wildlife. 🐯🌱
🐟 Celebrate Bengal’s love for fish at the Sundarban Hilsa Festival 2025 🎣🍽.

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