Wildlife of Lao PDR: 1999 Status Report - IUCN

generally below 1000 m. Some records could conceivably
refer to the extremely similar P. borealoides Sakhalin Leaf
Warbler. The latter’s winter distribution and field characters
are not well known (see Inskipp et al. 1996; C. R. Robson
verbally 1998).
Phylloscopus coronatus Eastern Crowned Warbler. Passage
migrant, overwintering at least sporadically in the south;
north B2 , centre B9 , south (historically B19 ). Forests and other
areas with mature trees. Records prior to 1996 were reviewed
by Duckworth et al. (1998a).
Phylloscopus reguloides Blyth’s Leaf Warbler. Winter visitor,
locally resident in south B3 ; north, centre, south B2 . Evergreen
forest and adjacent tall regrowth, commonest in hills
and mountains but occurs down to Mekong plains.
Phylloscopus davisoni White-tailed Leaf Warbler. Resident;
north B4 , centre B10 , south B2 . Evergreen forest and tall secondary
growth above 900 m, perhaps lower in winter.
• Phylloscopus cantator Yellow-vented Warbler. Conservation
Significance: Globally Near-Threatened. Not At Risk
in Lao PDR. Documented Range and Habitat: Winter visitor,
perhaps local breeder; north, centre B10 . Evergreen and
mixed deciduous forests, often beside rivers; usually at 500-
1000 m. Status Information: Records prior to 1997 were reviewed
by Thewlis et al. (1998). The species is relatively
widespread, usually at low density, in northern and hilly central
Lao PDR. Records come from seven recent survey areas
(Table 11). Post-1996 records include several in song in Phou
Louey NBCA, which were still present on 13 May 1998 in
suitable breeding habitat (Davidson 1998). Similar behaviour
was observed in similar habitats in Nam Ha NBCA in
March 1997 (Tizard et al. 1997).
Phylloscopus ricketti Sulphur-breasted Warbler. Winter
visitor to south, passage migrant throughout; north B2 , centre B7 ,
south B2 . Evergreen forests and regrowth, up to at least 1520
m on passage. Until the taxonomic status of the ‘Limestone
Leaf Warbler’ is resolved, records of this species in parts of
central Lao PDR may be best left unidentified; but birds in
late March in Nakai-Nam Theun NBCA were clearly longdistance
migrants (PD).
[Phylloscopus sp. ‘Limestone Leaf Warbler’]. Breeding resident;
north, centre B9 . Evergreen forest on limestone karst,
dispersing to adjacent wooded non-calcareous formations
outside the breeding season. This form of Phylloscopus resembles
P. ricketti in external appearance but vocalisations
suggest it belongs to an un-named taxon, possibly distinct at
the species level (P. Alström in litt. 1997).
Seicercus burkii Golden-spectacled Warbler. Winter
visitor, probably breeding in south B3 ; north, centre, south B2 .
Birds
Evergreen forest, bamboo, streamside thickets, up to at least
1650 m. Birds breeding in the Phou Ahyon area were presumed
to be S. burkii rather than S. affinis on the basis of
their yellow eye-rings. They differed clearly in vocalisations
and plumage from the common wintering form across Lao
PDR (RJTim). The taxonomic status of ‘S. burkii’ has recently
been re-assessed (Alström and Olsson in press), and it
is likely that three forms recognisable as full species occur in
Lao PDR.
[Seicercus affinis White-spectacled Warbler]. Seasonal
status unclear; north (provisionally B6 ). Habitat in Lao PDR
unclear. Some recent birds in Lao PDR were left unidentified
beyond S. affinis / S. poliogenys pending further experience
(e.g. WCS 1995a, Tizard 1996). Birds in Nam Ha NBCA
were given in Tizard et al. (1997) as S. affinis, but until the
details of the various forms currently included within S. burkii
are clarified, these Nam Ha birds should be considered as
provisional S. affinis (RJTiz). The only historical records are
from Xiangkhouang Province (David-Beaulieu 1944). Here
the species was noted as a winter visitor, mainly to the low
valleys (perhaps about 500 m). Elsewhere in its range it is
montane and so these records are also best considered provisional
until any extant specimens can be re-examined.
Seicercus poliogenys Grey-cheeked Warbler. Resident;
north B13 , centre B10 , south B2 . Evergreen forest and secondary
growth, generally above 900 m, perhaps lower in the winter.
Seicercus castaniceps Chestnut-crowned Warbler. Resident;
north B4 , centre B10 , south B2 . Evergreen forest above 1000 m.
Abroscopus albogularis Rufous-faced Warbler. Resident;
north, centre B10 . Evergreen forest, bamboo and secondary
growth above 600 m. Records prior to 1997 were reviewed
by Thewlis et al. (1998). The species is common or abundant
in higher hill and montane areas in and around the Nam Theun
catchment, and not uncommon, or at least present, in several
other survey areas. It is unlikely to be under elevated threat.
Thus it was dropped from the recommended list of key species.
In 1997 and 1998 it was recorded from several further
areas.
Abroscopus superciliaris Yellow-bellied Warbler. Resident;
north, centre, south B2 . Bamboo and secondary growth within
and near evergreen forest, up to at least 1450 m.
Megalurus palustris Striated Grassbird (= Striated Warbler,
^K, ^T). Resident; north B2 . Reed beds, marshes, extensive
tall grassland; all known localities are near water and on flat
terrain, up to 1200 m.
Garrulax leucolophus White-crested Laughingthrush.
Resident; north B1 , centre, south B2 . Evergreen and mixed
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