Some Seicercus Warblers in Yunnan, China
Birds in Dali
On 21 and 22 April 2011 We visited Zhonghe Shan close to Dali, Yunnan, China. There were clearly two species of Seicercus Warblers present. One was Bianchi's Warbler Seicercus valentini which were commonly singing at least between 2400 m and 3100 m asl, both in Pine dominated forest and higher altitude scrubland. In addition, there was another species with quite a different song, including trills. They were also quite common, but not over 2800 m, mostly around 2500 m and only in forest. They sang and held territories, but at least some individuals were quite mobile and may still have been migrating searching permanent territories.
The obvious possibilities are Martens' Warbler Seicercus omeiensis and Grey-crowned Warbler Seicercus tephrocephalus (all other species are either geographically improbable or do not have trills in their songs). Because the two are very similar both visually and vocally, we have been unable to decide which species is in question.
1. Song, This is recorded 22 April at about 2500 m. Several other individuals were singing similarly nearby, some of which were also sound recorded.
2. Call. Recorded 21 April at about 2800 m. This bird was not heard singing, but the call is quite different from that of valentini.
Below are some photos of a bird with this song type taken 22 April (Different individual from that in the song recording)
A bird in Kunming
We visited Xi Shan (Western Hills) close to Kunming on 9 April 2011. Seicercus were not common there, and none were photographed but this one individual was sound recorded.