Dusky Warbler

Phylloscopus fuscatus

Introduction

Somewhat similar to a Chiffchaff, Dusky Warbler is a regular but scarce visitor from north-eastern Asia. Most records come late in the autumn and a few individuals have overwintered.

Key Stats

Status

Rare

Weight

12g

Seasonality

<1%

BTO Records

4.1k records

Population and distribution stats for:

No data

No current data

No current data

No data

No current data

100% expansion

Identification

Curated resources to aid in the identification of Dusky Warbler

Songs and Calls

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Listen to example recordings of the main vocalisations of Dusky Warbler, provided by xeno-canto contributors.

Call:

Status and Trends

Population size, trends and patterns of distribution based on BTO and partnership surveys and atlasses with data collected by BTO volunteers.

Conservation Status

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This species can be found on the following statutory and conservation listings and schedules.

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (global)

Least Concern

Schedule 1 Licence required (to disturb)*

Birds Directive Annex 1

* A guide only. Check details with the original legislation, especially those marked with an asterisk. See About Birdfacts for more information.

Population Size

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BOU Category

Source

First Record*

Orkney, 1913

* First documented occurrence. Most species undoubtedly occurred before this. See About Birdfacts for more information.

Population Change

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Dusky Warbler is a scarce migrant in the UK. The number of recorded sightings and the number of individuals attempting to overwinter here have both increased in recent years, leading to the first singing males being observed in 2022 [White & Kehoe 2024; Eaton & the Rare Breeding Birds Panel 2024]. Little is known about the population status of Dusky Warblers but the population is considered to be stable as there is no evidence of a decline [BirdLife International 2016].

Distribution

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This species is a rare vagrant and was recorded during Bird Atlas 2007–11 as shown on the map.

Occupied 10-km squares in UK

These figures come from Bird Atlas 2007 and indicate how widespread a species is.

No. occupied in winter

% occupied in winter

0.3%

Bird Atlas distribution maps show where bird species breed or winter in Britain and Ireland. For breeding maps, larger dots indicate higher certainty the species bred in that area.

Click the map to enlarge,
or view it on Bird Atlas Mapstore.

Click the map to enlarge,
or view it on Bird Atlas Mapstore.

To view and download up-to-date distribution information aggregated from across BTO and partnership surveys and schemes, see our data holdings on the NBN Atlas.

Distribution Change

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This vagrant is too rarely reported to map distribution change.

Change in occupied 10-km squares in the UK

These figures come from Bird Atlas 2007-11 and indicate by how much occupied areas have expanded or contracted over recent decades.

% change in range in winter (1981–84 to 2007–11)

100 %

Seasonality

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Dusky Warbler is a rare autumn vagrant, usually encountered in October and November, some birds have wintered.

Weekly pattern of occurrence

The graph shows when the species is present in the UK, with taller bars indicating a higher likelihood of encountering the species in appropriate regions and habitats.

Phenology graph — Weekly occurrence patterns (shaded cells and reporting rates (vertical bars) based on BirdTrack data. Reporting rates give the likelihood of encountering the species each week.

Movement

Information about Dusky Warbler movements and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.

Britain & Ireland movement

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View a summary of recoveries in the Online Ringing Report

Foreign locations of birds ringed or recovered in Britain & Ireland

Dots show the foreign destinations of birds ringed in Britain & Ireland, and the origins of birds ringed overseas that were subsequently recaptured, resighted or found dead in Britain & Ireland. Dot colours indicate the time of year that the species was present at the location.

Winter (Nov-Feb)
Spring (Mar-Apr)
Summer (May-Jul)
Autumn (Aug-Oct)

Foreign locations of birds ringed or recovered in Britain & Ireland

European movements

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EuroBirdPortal uses birdwatcher's records, such as those logged in BirdTrack to map the flows of birds as they arrive and depart Europe. See maps for this species here.

Biology

Lifecycle and body size information for Dusky Warbler, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.

Survival and Longevity

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Survival is shown as the proportion of birds surviving from one year to the next and is derived from bird ringing data. It can also be used to estimate how long birds typically live.

View number ringed each year in the Online Ringing Report.

Classification, names and codes

Taxonomy, names and species codes for Dusky Warbler

Classification and Codes

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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Phylloscopidae
Scientific name: Phylloscopus fuscatus
Authority: Blyth, 1842

BTO 2-letter code: UY
BTO 5-letter code: DUSWA
Euring code number: 13030

Alternate species names

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Catalan: mosquiter fosc
Czech: budnícek temný
Danish: Brun Løvsanger
Dutch: Bruine Boszanger
Estonian: tõmmu-lehelind
Finnish: ruskouunilintu
French: Pouillot brun

German: Dunkellaubsänger
Hungarian: barna füzike
Icelandic: Skúmsöngvari
Irish: Ceolaire Breacdhorcha
Italian: Luì scuro
Latvian: tumšais kaukitis
Lithuanian: tamsioji pecialinda
Norwegian: Brunsanger

Polish: swistunka brunatna
Portuguese: felosa-sombria
Slovak: kolibiarik hnedý
Slovenian: rjava listnica
Spanish: Mosquitero sombrío
Swedish: brunsångare
Welsh: Telor Tywyll

More Evidence

More evidence from Conservation Evidence.com

Partners

Birdfacts is based on data collected by volunteers participating in surveys that are organised and funded by BTO, RSPB, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, JNCC and other partners.

BTO

Esmée Fairbairn Foundation

JNCC

RSPB

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