Eastern Crowned Warbler

Eastern Crowned Warbler

Scientific Name: Phylloscopus coronatus

Malay Name: Cekup-Daun Raja Timur

Chinese Name: 冕柳莺

Range: Found from Russia, China, Korea to Japan and winters to Southeast Asia

Taxonomy: Monotypic.

Size: 12.5-13 cm

Identification: Resembles Arctic Warbler and Sakhalin Leaf Warbler but has well-defined pale median coronal stripe on darker crown (which is more distinct at the rear often not reaching the fore-crown), longer bill with dark upper mandible and pale lower mandible (with no dark tip), yellower-green upperparts, whiter underparts and pale yellow undertail-coverts.

Similar looking species: Yellow-browed Warbler, Arctic Warbler, Sakhalin Leaf Warbler, Two-barred Warbler

Habitat: Forests, mangroves, gardens, parks and suitable wooded areas.

Behaviour/Ecology: Frequents the canopy where it forages in the foliage.

Local Status: Common migrant

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2016)

Location: Central Catchment Forest, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Sungei Buloh, Bidadari, Tuas South and Pasir Ris Park.

Featured articles:

Migrant bar chart (see more bar charts):

Eastern Crowned Warbler Phylloscopus coronatus
Estimated average number of individuals by week based on eBird data, Jul 2014 to Jun 2024
Peak week Oct 01-Oct 07
Early date 23 Aug 2015
Late date 09 May 2019
The peak fall passage period for this species, from end Sep to end Oct, is the best time to catch one of these birds.
Eastern Crowned Warbler at Tuas South. Photo Credit: See Toh Yew Wai
Eastern Crowned Warbler at Venus Drive. Photo Credit: Francis Yap
Eastern Crowned Warbler at Venus Drive. Photo Credit: Francis Yap
Eastern Crowned Warbler at Venus Drive. Photo Credit: Francis Yap
Eastern Crowned Warbler at Venus Drive. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

External Links:

Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page

Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link

Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link

eBird Species page: eBird (Eastern Crowned Warbler)

References:

BirdLife International. (2016). Phylloscopus coronatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22715348A94449332.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.). Eastern Crowned Warbler. Retrieved on June 14, 2025 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/eastern-crowned-warbler.

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