Arctic Warbler

Arctic Warbler

Scientific Name: Phylloscopus borealis

Malay Name: Cekup-Daun Artik

Chinese Name: 极北柳莺

Range: Found from northern Eurasia, Siberia, northeast China, Japan to Alaska and winters to Southeast Asia

Taxonomy: Monotypic.

Size: 12.5-13 cm

Identification: Adult has yellowish-white supercilium, olive-green crown and upperparts with one or two narrow wing bars (indistinct when worn), whitish-grey underparts, and dark tip to lower mandible. Eastern Crowned Warbler is similar but has white median crown stripe (may be indistinct on forecrown), greener upperparts, and longer, more distinct supercilium.

Similar looking species: Dusky Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler, Sakhalin Leaf Warbler, Eastern Crowned Warbler, Pale-legged Leaf Warbler, Two-barred Warbler

Habitat: Forest, forest edge, wooded areas, mangroves, parks and gardens.

Behaviour/Ecology: Frequents the canopy.

Local Status: Very common migrant

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2016)

Location: Any suitable patch of habitat like Central Catchment Forest, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Pasir Ris Park, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, etc.

Featured articles:

Migrant bar chart (see more bar charts):

Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis
Estimated average number of individuals by week based on eBird data, Jul 2014 to Jun 2024
Peak week Dec 24-Dec 30
Early date 22 Aug 2015
Late date 20 May 1990
The commonest Phylloscopus warbler in Singapore. By early Oct, this species can be found in numbers across the island.
Arctic Warbler at Tuas. Photo credit: Francis Yap
Arctic Warbler at Tuas. Photo credit: See Toh Yew Wai
Arctic Warbler at Jelutong Tower. Photo credit: Francis Yap
Arctic Warbler at Upper Seletar Reservoir Park. Photo credit: Francis Yap
Arctic Warbler at Upper Seletar Reservoir Park. Photo credit: Francis Yap
Arctic Warbler at Tuas. Photo credit: See Toh Yew Wai

External Links:

Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page

Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link

Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link

eBird Species page: eBird (Arctic Warbler)

References:

BirdLife International. (2016). Phylloscopus borealis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T103845882A87673832.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023

Jeyarajasingam, A., & Pearson, A. (2012). A Field Guide to the Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. Oxford University Press.

Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.

RECOMMENDED CITATION

Bird Society of Singapore. (n.d.). Arctic Warbler. Retrieved on May 22, 2025 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/arctic-warbler.

To top