Lanceolated Warbler

Lanceolated Warbler

Scientific Name: Locustella lanceolata

Malay Name: Cekup-Tikus Berjalur Kecil

Chinese Name: 矛斑蝗莺

Range: Found from Siberia, northern China, Japan to Korea and winters to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia

Taxonomy: Polytypic. Subspecies are: hendersonii, lanceolata.

Size: 12-13.5 cm

Identification: Resembles Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler but smaller and shows prominent streaking on crown, mantle, rump, lower throat, breast, flanks and undertail-coverts and lacks the pronounced rufescent plumage tones. Juvenile is somewhat less heavily/boldly streaked.

Similar looking species: Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler, Zitting Cisticola

Habitat: Grass, weeds and scrub.

Behaviour/Ecology: Very skulking, forages on or near ground and difficult to flush.

Local Status: Uncommon migrant

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2017)

Location: Punggol Barat, Tanah Merah Grassland, Lorong Halus, Kranji Marsh, Bidadari and Tuas South.

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Migrant bar chart (see more bar charts):

Lanceolated Warbler Locustella lanceolata
Estimated average number of individuals by week based on eBird data, Jul 2014 to Jun 2024
Peak week Nov 26-Dec 02
Early date 27 Sep 1987
Late date 05 May 2019
Locustella warblers are named after the insect-like trilling of many members of the genus. This secretive species is no exception.

References:

BirdLife International. (2017). Locustella lanceolata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T22714654A111074459.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.

Wells, D. R. (1999). The Birds of the Thai-Malay Peninsula (Vol. 1). Academic Press, London.

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