Yellow-browed Warbler
Phylloscopus inornatus
The Yellow-browed Warbler is a rare but annual migrant to Britain, typically seen during the autumn months, particularly in the east and southeast coastal regions. It is a small, energetic bird that can be spotted in woodland edges, scrub, and gardens, often flitting between trees in search of insects.
Field Identification Guide
Use these features to identify Yellow-browed Warbler in the field.
The Yellow-browed Warbler can be identified by its bright yellow supercilium, greenish-yellow breast, and white wing bars, as well as its distinctive white eye-ring and dark legs. Its overall appearance is that of a small, agile warbler with a rounded head and a short, pointed bill.
The Yellow-browed Warbler is smaller than a Blue Tit, measuring around 9-10 cm in length, and has a slender build that allows it to dart between branches with ease.
The male Yellow-browed Warbler has a bright yellow supercilium, a greenish-yellow breast, and a yellowish-green back, with a white wing bar and a dark grey-brown crown, and its plumage remains relatively consistent throughout the year.
The female Yellow-browed Warbler is similar to the male, with slightly duller colours, but the difference is not pronounced, and the two sexes can be difficult to distinguish in the field.
The Yellow-browed Warbler's call is a distinctive, high-pitched "tsee-tsee-tsee" or "sweet-sweet-sweet", often repeated in a series of short phrases, while its song is a rapid, melodic phrase that sounds like a series of descending whistles.
The Yellow-browed Warbler is an active, insectivorous bird that forages for small insects and spiders in trees and shrubs, often flying between branches in a rapid, darting motion, and can be seen hovering in front of leaves to catch prey.
The Yellow-browed Warbler can be confused with the Chiffchaff and the Willow Warbler, but can be distinguished by its bright yellow supercilium, white wing bars, and dark legs, as well as its distinctive call and song, which are higher-pitched and more rapid than those of the other two species.
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