RANGE:
The Sri Lanka Bush Warbler is endemic to SC Sri Lanka. It occurs in the highlands of this area, usually above 1,200 metres of elevation.
HABITAT:
The Sri Lanka Bush Warbler frequents mainly the dense forest undergrowth where it is often close to water.
It favours some plants such as Strobilanthes (Acanthaceae), a flowering plant, and Elephant grass (dwarf bamboo). It is often observed in the dense undergrowth formed by these plants in the damp hill forests.
The species is visible between 900 and 1,500 metres of elevation.
CALLS AND SONGS: SOUNDS BY XENO-CANTO
The Sri Lanka Bush Warbler is a shy bird often concealed within the thick vegetation. It is difficult to see it, but its distinctive call, a series of short, high-pitched notes, allows to find it while it is moving into the surrounding vegetation.
The bird often sings from tall grasses. It gives a short, squeaky song described as “tachika wéé, tawéé”.
During the breeding season, both mates keep in touch by a series of contact calls. The common call is a single shrill “queek” or a weaker “squip”.
BEHAVIOUR IN THE WILD:
The Sri Lanka Bush Warbler has skulking habits. It usually keeps close to the forest floor, often hidden among the tall grasses and the dense vegetation.
It feeds on small insects, especially soft-bodied green crickets (Tettigoniidae), often found on the underside of leaves.
To give an idea of the appearance of crickets of this genus: Genus Tettigoniidae
But small spiders, caterpillars, small worms and other soft-bodied invertebrates are also part of the diet. It may occasionally take small seeds.
It forages low in grasses and in mossy trunks, sometimes on the ground where it runs and hops easily through the thick undergrowth, threading its way with astonishing rapidity. While hopping, the tail is conspicuously flicked.
It is able to cling to wood in any position, thanks to its strong, curved, hind claw.
It can be seen alone or in pairs, and also in family groups after the breeding season.
The courtship displays of the species are unknown. However, we can suggest that the long, graduated tail plays a role, being fanned and exposed by adapted postures.
The Sri Lanka Bush Warbler nests in a deep, cup-shaped structure, hidden in grass or bamboo stump, fairly close to the ground.
Both adults share the nesting duties, at least chick-feeding, but the female incubates apparently alone.
The Sri Lanka Bush Warbler is resident breeder endemic to Sri Lanka.
It does not fly over long distances, preferring to creep along the ground, concealed among the dense vegetation.
REPRODUCTION OF THIS SPECIES:
The Sri Lanka Bush Warbler has two breeding seasons, during the two rainy periods of the year. The first period takes place from March to May, and the second one in August-September.
The nest is a deep, cup-shaped structure made of mosses, lichens, rootlets and dead leaves. The cup is lined with fine fibres, leaf skeletons, fine grasses or bamboo leaves.
It is placed in grass or bamboo clump, or in a thick cluster of branches on the top of a densely foliaged small bush, usually within 1 metre from the ground, and often in the vicinity of forest-paths.
The female lays two whitish-pink eggs and apparently incubates alone. The duration of the incubation is unknown. But the chicks are fed by both parents.
No more information.
PROTECTION / THREATS / STATUS:
The Sri Lanka Bush Warbler is threatened by habitat loss caused by deforestation for agriculture expansion, especially tea and rubber plantations.
Fragmentation and degradation of the habitat increase at lower elevations and threaten the species, but fortunately, it is mostly abundant in montane forests.
The size of the population is unknown, but it is slowly declining.
The Sri Lanka Bush Warbler is described as locally not uncommon, but currently, the species is listed as Near Threatened.
Fr: Mégalure de Ceylan - Bouscarle de Ceylan
Ang: Sri Lanka Bush Warbler - Ceylon Bush-Warbler
All: Ceylonbuschsänger
Esp: Zarzalero de Ceilán
Ita: Macchiarolo di Sri Lanka
Nd: Ceylonese Struikzanger
Sd: ceylonsmygsångare
Photographer:
Steve Garvie
RAINBIRDER Photo galleries
Text by Nicole Bouglouan
Sources:
HANDBOOK OF THE BIRDS OF THE WORLD Vol 11 by Josep del Hoyo, Andrew Elliott and David Christie - Lynx Edicions - ISBN: 849655306X
Avibase (Denis Lepage)
Birdlife International
Ceylon Bird Club
Paradiselanka
Characterization of iris dichromatism in Sri Lanka Bush Warbler (Elaphrornis palliseri)
Seasonal distribution of Sri Lanka bush warbler (Elaphrornis palliseri) in the Horton Plains National Park
Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia
Sri Lanka Bush Warbler or Ceylon Bush-Warbler
Elaphrornis palliseri
Passeriformes Order – Locustellidae Family
INTRODUCTION:
The Sri Lanka Bush Warbler or Ceylon Bush-Warbler is resident breeder endemic to Sri Lanka.
It is the only member of the genus Elaphrornis, although it is closely related to the genus Bradypterus but it differs in structure, plumage and song.
This species frequents the dense undergrowth of the mountain forests or of thick scrub, usually above 1,200 metres of elevation. It feeds on invertebrates, especially soft-bodied larval stages, small insects and small spiders, worms, caterpillars and others, usually found low in grasses while hopping easily through the thick vegetation.
It breeds during the two rainy periods of the year. It nests in a fairly large, cup-shaped structure built less than 1 metre of the ground. Both adults share most of the nesting duties.
The Sri Lanka Bush Warbler or Ceylon Bush-Warbler is threatened by degradation and fragmentation of its forested habitat, involving slow declines of the population. The species is currently listed as Near Threatened.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BIRD:
Biometrics:
Length: 15-16 cm
Weight: 9-14 g
The Sri Lanka Bush Warbler adult male has olive-brown upperparts with rufous wash on rump and uppertail-coverts.
On the upperwing, the flight-feathers are blackish-brown with rufous edges. On the long, thin, graduated tail, the rectrices are similar to the flight-feathers, also with rufous edges.
On the underparts, the throat is tinged orange. The breast is olive-grey and blends into the olive-yellow central underparts. Flanks and undertail-coverts are olive-brown.
On the olive-brown head, a whitish supercilium merges with the grey lores and head sides, before fading towards the rear of the ear-coverts. The chin is whitish and contrasts with the orange throat.
The slender bill has blackish-brown upper mandible, whereas the lower mandible is paler.
The eyes are red (in male), surrounded by whitish, feathered area.
The long, slender legs are brownish to purplish-brown. The feet have pinkish soles.
The female has similar plumage, but she has buffy-yellow to whitish eyes.
The juvenile has more uniform olive-brown plumage with dull whitish throat often slightly mottled. The eyes are grey.
Male
Red eyes