• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
• Reference and further resources

Justification of Red List category
This species, known from only a handful of sites, and has a small and declining range as a result of widespread deforestation. It therefore qualifies as Vulnerable.

Population justification
The population is estimated to number 2,500-9,999 individuals based on an assessment of known records, descriptions of abundance and range size. This is consistent with recorded population density estimates for congeners or close relatives with a similar body size, and the fact that only a proportion of the estimated Extent of Occurrence is likely to be occupied. This estimate is equivalent to 1,667-6,666 mature individuals, rounded here to 1,500-7,000 mature individuals.

Trend justification
This species's population size and trend are poorly known. A remote sensing study found that forest loss within the range is low (potentially 1% over three generations; Tracewski et al. 2016); thus the species may decline at <10% over three generations.

Phylloscopus hainanus, described in 1993, is known from only eight localities in the mountains of Hainan Island, China (BirdLife International 2001). Although it is locally common, with flocks of up to 40 recorded (Anon. 2002), it is absent from some apparently suitable forest sites and is probably declining.

The species occurs in primary, selectively logged and secondary forest and scrub at 640-1,500 m. It may previously have occurred at lower elevations, where very little forest now remains. Fledged young and a nest have been found in April, with breeding apparently completed by May.

Forest loss and fragmentation is the main threat. The area of natural forest on Hainan decreased from 16,920 km² in 1943 to 3,000 km² in 1994, mainly as a result of timber extraction, the replacement of forest by rubber plantations, slash-and-burn agriculture and the unrestricted cutting of wood for fuel and other uses. Much of the remaining forest is disturbed or modified, although some large primary tracts remain (J. Fellowes in litt. 2007).

Conservation Actions Underway

The species has been recorded in Bawangling, Jianfengling, Wuzhishan and Diaoluoshan National Nature Reserve, Nanweiling Forest Area and Jiaxi, Yinggeling and Limushan Nature Reserves. Recent surveys from Exianling and south-east Hainan have added considerably to knowledge of its distribution and abundance. The Hainan Wildlife Conservation Centre (HWCC) of the Hainan Forestry Department, supported by Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden in Hong Kong, has worked hard to protect remaining natural forests including the large central Yinggeling Nature Reserve.

Conservation Actions Proposed

Ensure effective forest protection across all protected areas in its range. Conduct surveys of its distribution, with the aim of determining whether existing protected areas are adequate for its conservation and, if not, to identify additional areas that need to be protected. Research its habitat requirements. Extend and link existing protected areas within the range. At Jianfengling Nature Reserve, enlarge the reserve to link up with Houmiling; at Wuzhi Shan Nature Reserve, reconstruct forest corridors to link this reserve with Qizhiling Nature Reserve; consider linking Limu Shan Nature Reserve with Fanjia Nature Reserve; at Jiaxi Nature Reserve, extend the reserve to Houmiling and strengthen forest protection.

10-11 cm. Small, slim, warbler. Vivid green upperparts with slightly darker lateral crown-stripes and pale yellow median crown-stripe. Warm yellow supercilium and well-defined, dark eye-stripe. Warm yellow underparts. Two broad, yellowish wing-bars formed by tips of greater and median coverts. White inner web to outer two tail feathers. Similar spp. White-tailed Leaf-warbler P. davisoni is paler below with more distinct, darker lateral crown-stripes. Sulphur-breasted Warbler P. ricketti and Mountain Leaf-warbler P. trivirgatus lack white in outer tail feathers. Voice High-pitched song tsitsisui-tsisui ... titsu-titsui-titsui. Call pitsitsui, pitsiu or pitsi-pitsu.

Text account compilers
Taylor, J., Harding, M., Allinson, T, Hermes, C., Benstead, P.

Contributors
Fellowes, J. & Wei, L.

---

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Hainan Leaf-warbler Phylloscopus hainanus. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/hainan-leaf-warbler-phylloscopus-hainanus on 23/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 23/12/2024.