# Japanese leaf warbler

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{{Short description|Species of bird}}
{{Speciesbox
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref>BirdLife International 2017. Phylloscopus xanthodryas (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T22735629A113113489. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T22735629A113113489.en. Downloaded on 13 January 2020.</ref>
| image = Japanese Leaf Warbler imported from iNaturalist photo 303806409 on 20 June 2024.jpg
| taxon = Phylloscopus xanthodryas
| authority = ([R. Swinhoe](/source/Robert_Swinhoe), 1863)
| synonyms = *''Phylloscopus borealis xanthodryas''
}}

The '''Japanese leaf warbler''' ('''''Phylloscopus xanthodryas''''') is a leaf warbler ([family](/source/Family_(taxonomy)) [Phylloscopidae](/source/Phylloscopidae)). The [species](/source/species) was [first described](/source/Species_description) by [Robert Swinhoe](/source/Robert_Swinhoe) in 1863. It was formerly included in the "[Old World warbler](/source/Old_World_warbler)" assemblage. It is closely related to the [Arctic warbler](/source/Arctic_warbler) and the [Kamchatka leaf warbler](/source/Kamchatka_leaf_warbler), to which it was formerly considered conspecific.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.hbw.com/species/japanese-leaf-warbler-phylloscopus-xanthodryas |title=Japanese Leaf-warbler (''Phylloscopus xanthodryas'')|website=www.hbw.com |year=2020 |doi=10.2173/bow.arcwar3.01 |access-date=2018-11-29|last1=Del Hoyo |first1=Josep |last2=Collar |first2=Nigel |last3=Christie |first3=David |s2cid=243313702 |editor-first1=Josep |editor-first2=Andrew |editor-first3=Jordi |editor-first4=David |editor-first5=Eduardo |editor-last1=Del Hoyo |editor-last2=Elliott |editor-last3=Sargatal |editor-last4=Christie |editor-last5=De Juana |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

It is found throughout [Japan](/source/Japan), except on [Hokkaido](/source/Hokkaido); it winters to [Southeast Asia](/source/Southeast_Asia).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280383942|title=A record of Japanese Leaf Warbler ''Phylloscopus xanthodryas'' in Thailand|website=ResearchGate|language=en|access-date=2018-11-29}}</ref>

== Description ==
The Japanese Leaf-Warbler is sized between 12–13&nbsp;cm in length.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=del Hoyo |first=Josep |last2=Collar |first2=Nigel |last3=Christie |first3=David |date=2020 |title=Japanese Leaf Warbler (Phylloscopus xanthodryas), version 1.0 |url=https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/arcwar3/cur/introduction |journal=Birds of the World |language=en |doi=10.2173/bow.arcwar3.01 |issn=2771-3105|url-access=subscription }}</ref> They typically have darker green upper body feathers, with an under body (or belly) with lighter green feathers.<ref name=":0" /> They have a very short and black (with a hint of yellow) beak, as well as extremely small legs that vary from pale yellow to orange-brown.<ref name=":0" /> The bird has a clear yellowish-white eyebrow stripe above the bird's dark eyes.<ref name=":0" /> Adults are bright olive-green (with a white wingbar and greenish tail).<ref name=":0" /> Both sexes look alike. Juveniles are roughly similar, yet duller in color (more grey-brown).<ref name=":0" />

== Subspecies ==
[Monotypic](/source/Monotypic_species), only existing form of this species of bird and there are no further subdivisions.<ref name=":0" />

== General Habitat ==
This species lives in mixed and [deciduous forests](/source/Deciduous), as well as in [coniferous](/source/Coniferous_forest) woods and thickets.<ref name=":0" /> It is usually found between 1500 and 2500 meters in elevation, but most often below 2200 meters. It nests in thick undergrowth, [rhododendron](/source/rhododendron) bushes, and scrub above the tree line.<ref name=":0" /> In winter, it is seen below 1800 meters in woodlands, rainforests, [secondary growth](/source/secondary_growth), plantations, and gardens.<ref name=":0" /> It also occurs in shrublands, wetlands, and cultivated areas, as well as artificial terrestrial habitats.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=BirdLife International (BirdLife International) |date=2024-06-12 |title=IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Phylloscopus xanthodryas |url=https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22735629/263891276 |journal=IUCN Red List of Threatened Species |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250429220728/https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22735629/263891276 |archive-date=2025-04-29 |access-date=2025-10-14 |url-status=live }}</ref> The species depends on thick vegetation for nesting and foraging.<ref name=":1" />

== Distribution ==
The Japanese leaf warbler breeds mainly in Japan, from [Honshu](/source/Honshu) to [Kyushu](/source/Kyushu).<ref name=":0" /> In the non-breeding season, it is found in areas such as Taiwan, the Philippines, Borneo, Java, and in small numbers as far east as the Moluccas.<ref name=":0" /> It also winters in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and parts of China.<ref name=":1" />

=== Movements and Migration ===
The Japanese leaf warbler is a migratory bird.<ref name=":0" /> After breeding, it moves south or southwest through eastern China and nearby islands.<ref name=":0" /> It spends the winter in Taiwan, the Philippines, [Borneo](/source/Borneo), and [Java](/source/Java).<ref name=":0" /> Migration takes place from August to November, and the birds return to Japan in mid-May.<ref name=":0" /> Arrival often happens within one or two weeks, although timing can be confused with other related species.<ref name=":0" />

== Diet and Foraging ==
Its diet is made up mostly of insects and their [larva](/source/larva)e.<ref name=":0" /> Common food items include [midge](/source/midge)s, ants, grasshoppers, caterpillars, beetles, spiders, and small snails.<ref name=":0" /> In autumn, it may also eat berries.<ref name=":0" /> The warbler usually forages alone or in pairs but can join mixed groups of birds outside of the breeding season.<ref name=":0" /> It searches for food in trees, shrubs, and on the ground, and it sometimes catches insects while flying.<ref name=":0" />

== Sounds and Vocal Behavior ==
The song of the Japanese leaf warbler is a series of short phrases repeated several times, often lasting 1.5–2 seconds.<ref name=":0" /> It is lower in pitch than that of related species such as P. examinandus and has a slower rhythm than P. borealis.<ref name=":0" /> Its call is a dry “brrt” sound, which is lower and softer compared to the calls of similar warblers.<ref name=":0" />

== Breeding ==
Breeding takes place from June to August, and pairs often raise two broods in a season.<ref name=":0" /> The species is mostly [monogamous](/source/monogamous).<ref name=":0" /> Males sing to mark their territory, and nests are built on the ground among plants or [bamboo](/source/bamboo).<ref name=":0" /> Nests are round and made of moss, stalks, and animal fur, with an opening at the side.<ref name=":0" /> The clutch usually contains four to five white eggs with small dark spots.<ref name=":0" /> The female [incubates](/source/Egg_incubation) the eggs for about 12–13 days, and chicks leave the nest 13–14 days after hatching.<ref name=":0" /> Both parents feed the young, though sometimes the female cares for them alone.<ref name=":0" /> Nests are often targeted by [cuckoo](/source/cuckoo)s, which lay their eggs inside, and snakes may also prey on them.<ref name=":1" />

== Conservation status ==
The Japanese leaf warbler is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List (assessed June 12, 2024).<ref name=":1" /> The population trend is considered stable, and there is no evidence of major declines or severe fragmentation.<ref name=":0" /> Exact numbers of mature individuals are unknown,<ref name=":1" /> but it is locally common, with male territory density estimated at 10–30 birds per square kilometer.<ref name=":0" /> Its average generation length is estimated at about 2 years.<ref name=":1" />

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://ebird.org/species/arcwar3 eBird website]

{{Taxonbar |from=Q12265907}}

Japanese leaf warbler
Category:Birds of Japan
Japanese leaf warbler
Category:Taxa named by Robert Swinhoe

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Japanese leaf warbler](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_leaf_warbler) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_leaf_warbler?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.