Old World Warblers (Sylviidae)
Marsh Grassbird (Megalurus pryeri) - HBW 11, p. 577
French: Mégalure du Japon
German: Riedsänger
Spanish: Yerbera Japonesa
Other common names: Japanese Grassbird/Marsh Warbler, Japanese/Streak-backed Swamp Warbler
Taxonomy: Megalurus pryeri Seebohm, 1884, Tokyo, Japan.
Inclusion in present genus not entirely satisfactory, as a number of features (bill and foot structures, length of undertail-coverts, wing formula) indicate that this could be a form of Locustella; is unique among Sylviidae, however, in possessing a vestigial wing claw, and creation of an entirely new genus to house this unusual species may be a better solution. In addition, has been suggested that the two races might each be worthy of full species rank. Comparative field study of poorly known race sinensis required before these issues can be resolved. Two subspecies recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution:
- sinensis (Witherby, 1912) - extreme E Mongolia, E China (Heilongjiang, Liaoning and Shanghai) and extreme SE Russia (L Khanka, in Primorskiy); non-breeding SE China (basin of lower R Chiang Jiang in S Hubei, N Hunan and N Jiangxi).
- pryeri Seebohm, 1884 - C Japan (N & E Honshu); non-breeding S to Shikoku.
- Near Threatened Enlarge map
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series of eleven song flights filmed over about four minutes Locality Dongtan Nature Reserve, Chong Ming Island, Shanghai, China (Northern) (ssp sinensis)
Martin Kennewell 19 April 2008 2 years ago 1 min 19 sec 2.5 -
male singing from a perch then setting off on song flight Locality Dongtan Nature Reserve, Chong Ming Island, Shanghai, China (Northern) (ssp sinensis)
Martin Kennewell 19 April 2008 2 years ago 46 sec 2.3
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Singing during nesting season.
Locality Chiba Prefecture, Honshu, Japan
kasia.someya 10 July 2010 38 weeks ago 3.5 -
During nesting season.
Locality Chiba Prefecture, Honshu, Japan
kasia.someya 10 July 2010 38 weeks ago 3.4
- No sound recordings available yet
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