What is a Long-Billed Bush Warbler?

July 25, 2025

A team of birders recently recorded the first confirmed Indian sighting of the elusive Long-billed Bush Warbler in 46 years, spotting the Near Threatened species in Ladakh’s Suru Valley.

About Long-Billed Bush Warbler:

  • It is a medium-sized bush warbler (songbird) with a relatively long tail and long bill.
  • Scientific Name: Locustella major
  • Distribution:
    • It has a limited distribution in the mountains of Central Asia.
    • It's found in parts of China, India, Pakistan, and Tajikistan.
    • Habitat: It inhabits grassy slopes dotted with bushes, weeds, and grass; upland terraced cultivation; and edges of alpine meadows and forest clearings, at 2400-3600 m.
  • Features:
    • Plumage is generally brownish-olive with fine streaking on the back.
    • The underparts are paler, usually whitish or buff.
    • Size: Around 15–17 cm in length.
    • Sexes alike.
    • Like other bush warblers, typically very skulking and furtive, preferring to run instead of fly when threatened.
    • Emerges onto small bushes to sing, producing a dull clicking that would underwhelm a grasshopper.
  • Conservation Status:
    • IUCN Red List: Near Threatened.

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