Large-billed Leaf Warbler

The large-billed leaf warbler is a fairly large leaf warbler with a single wing bar, a prominent yellowish-white eyebrow, a contrasting broad dark stripe through and behind the eye, a large darkish upper mandible, a dark crown and greyish ear coverts. It can be confused with the Arctic warbler. It is best identified by its distinctive call, a two-note dir-tee with the second note much higher, given often and at regular intervals (Wikipedia, general species account).

It breeds in central China and the Himalayas and winters in Sri Lanka, the Western Ghats and nearby hill ranges. It lives in dense vegetation, occasionally in towns, and is more often heard than seen. SoIB 2023 lists it as a migrant within India and a winter visitor with a moderate range, estimates a long-term decline of about 70%, and rates it a Moderate conservation priority (Wikipedia, general species account; SoIB 2023).