Arctic Warbler

The Arctic Warbler, Phylloscopus borealis , is a widespread leaf warbler in birch or mixed birch forest near water throughout its breeding range in Fennoscandia and northern Asia. It has established a foothold in North America, breeding in Alaska.

The nest is on the ground in low shrub. Like most Old World warblers, this small passerine is insectivorous.

This warbler is strongly migratory and the entire population winters in southeast Asia. It therefore has one of the longest migrations of any Old World warbler.

This is a typical leaf warbler in appearance, greyish-green above and off-white below. Its single wing bar distinguishes from most similar species, except Greenish Warbler, Phylloscopus trochiloides . It is larger than that species and has a heavier dagger-like bill, with a dark tip to the lower mandible. Its song is a fast trill.

This species occurs as an autumn vagrant in western Europe, and is annual in Great Britain.