White-browed Fulvetta Fulvetta vinipectus ranges from northern India to Burma and China, with isolated population in northern Vietnam. In China, vinipectus resident southern Tibet near border with Nepal, perstriata extreme northwest Yunnan, and bieti western and central Sichuan to northern Yunnan. HABITAT & BEHAVIOR Feeds almost exclusively on insects, moving in busy flocks of up to 20 that may include members of other species. Combs through subalpine shrubbery and bushes in various types of temperate and subalpine forest, in summer to 3700 m (12,140 ft.), lower in winter. ID & COMPARISON Has distinct head pattern, with brown or black lateral crown stripe, broad white supercilium, and blackish to brown mask and ear coverts. Rump, belly, tail, and wings rufous-brown to buffish brown, with white edging to black primaries. Throat white, with more or less streaking (most in perstriata). Crown, nape, mantle, and breast brownish-grey. White eyebrow diagnostic; distinguishes from congeners. BARE PARTS Pale irides distinguish from Brown-throated Fulvetta F. ludlowi. Bill brown; feet grey. VOICE High squeaks, busy chirrs, and whistles. — Craig Brelsford
SOUND-RECORDING
White-browed Fulvetta Fulvetta vinipectus, song, Gaoligong Mountains, Yunnan, China, elev. 2850 m (9,350 ft.), March, by Craig Brelsford (0:48; 1 MB)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Daniel Bengtsson served as chief ornithological consultant for Craig Brelsford’s Photographic Field Guide to the Birds of China, from which this species description is drawn.
