Warblers

WARBLERS - In Belize

Prothonotary Warbler

Shockingly bright warbler of swamps and wet forest. Males have gorgeous yellow head and underparts with greenish back and blue-gray wings. White undertail coverts. Females and immatures slightly duller than males. Sings a loud, piercing series of 6–10 high-pitched "tsweet" notes. One of only two warblers that nests in cavities.

Northern Parula

One of the smallest warblers; look for short tail and sharply pointed, bicolored bill. Bluish-gray above with distinctive lime-green patch on the back, white wingbars and eye-arcs, yellow on throat, and white belly. Found in forested areas; has a fondness for nesting in Spanish moss in the southeastern U.S. Loud song is buzzy, ascending trill with sharp chip at the end; sounds like a zipper. Winters mainly in Mexico and Caribbean.

Tropical Parula

Small short-tailed warbler; bright and boldly patterned. Blue-gray above with green back, two bold white wingbars (limited white in Middle American birds), and yellow-orange throat and chest. Males have darker face and brighter yellow-orange chest than females. Bill is sharp, black above and yellow below. Very similar to Northern Parula; note lack of white eyearcs and no dark markings on breast. Beware of rarely-occurring hybrids and some dull immatures, which can be very similar to Northern Parula. Common and widespread in forests throughout Central and South America; rare in U.S.; found only in mossy forests in southern Texas.

Golden Winged Warbler

This gem of a warbler is in precipitous decline over much of its range. Distinctive if seen well; note black-and-white face pattern with yellow crown and large yellow patch on wing. Female is a washed-out version of male. Frequently hybridizes with Blue-winged Warbler. Found in shrubby habitats near the edge of taller forest, often close to water. Sings a high-pitched buzzy song usually 3-4 notes with first note highest, but variable; occasionally identical to Blue-winged Warbler but typically higher and finer. Feeds on insects.

Blue Winged Warbler

Small, yellow warbler found in scrubby or cut-over habitats with some large trees, including field edges or powerline cuts. Yellow overall with black line through eye. Blue-gray wings with two whitish wingbars; sharply pointed bill. Adult males brighter than females and immatures. Two-note buzzy song sounds rather insect-like. Winters in Central America. Hybridizes with Golden-winged Warbler.

Lawrence's Warbler

Brewster's Warbler

Golden Crowned Warbler

Small, rather active warbler of tropical evergreen and semi-deciduous forest in foothills and lowlands. Often in pairs at low to middle levels in shady forests with fairly open understory. Regularly seen with mixed-species feeding flocks. Like other tropical warblers, sexes look alike: overall grayish above and yellowish below with weak blackish head stripes that border a dull and easily overlooked golden or dull orangish central crown stripe.

Black Throated Blue Warbler

Striking warbler with vastly different male and female plumages. Breeding males unique deep blue above with black face and sides, and white belly. Females are plain brownish-olive with dingy buffy underparts and subtle face pattern. Look for small white patch on the wing. Forages for insects in lower and mid-stories of mature forest, favoring hills with thick undergrowth. Found in nearly any wooded or shrubby habitat during migration.

Rufous Capped Warbler

Attractive, perky, long-tailed warbler widespread in foothills and highlands, locally in lowlands. Favors brushy and weedy areas adjacent to woodland and scrub. Usually in pairs, low in brush, where hops with long tail cocked. Note white eyebrow, rusty cap, and yellow bib. Birds in southeast Mexico and Belize are extensively yellow below. Populations from Guatemala south are shorter tailed, have solidly chestnut cheeks, extensive yellow below, prefer more humid habitats, and sound quite different to northern populations. This form is often considered a separate species: Chestnut-capped Warbler.

Gray Throated Chat

Easily overlooked, warbler-like bird of lowland tropical forest. Hops around, mainly at low levels in tangled understory, often fanning its rather long, white-tipped tail. Male is striking, with red breast, gray head, and white eyebrow, but female-plumaged birds are seen more often and can be puzzling. Note the buffy face and breast with a dark beady eye, mostly grayish upperparts, and distinctive tail.

Bay Breasted Warbler

Breeding males are distinctive with dark reddish-brown cap and sides, along with buffy nape. Two bold white wingbars. Females and fall birds are duller; most show at least some chestnut coloring on sides. Dullest birds are similar to Blackpoll and Pine Warblers; look for streaks on back, well-defined wingbars, and cleaner greenish-yellow head and neck. Prefers conifers during migration, but can be found in any woodland. Breeds in the boreal forest. In most of U.S. , only seen during migration. Winters in Central and South America. Listen carefully for extremely high-pitched, squeaky-wheel song, similar to a fast Black-and-white Warbler.

Blackpoll Warbler

Relatively large warbler of the boreal forest. Breeding males can be confused with Black-and-white Warbler. Note different head pattern; solid black cap and bright white cheek. Breeding females are a washed out, streakier version of male. Immatures are quite different: lemony-yellow head and breast with blurry streaking, white wingbars, and white undertail coverts. Distinctive orange feet helps distinguish Blackpoll from similar immature Bay-breasted and Pine Warblers. Found in any forested habitat during migration. Favors conifers, especially stunted spruce at higher elevations for breeding. Known for its exceptional migration over the Atlantic Ocean; can travel from East Coast of U.S. to South America in one nonstop flight!

Chestnut Sided Warbler

Breeding birds show yellow cap, black triangle under eye, streaked back and reddish-brown sides. Looks remarkably different in fall with distinctive lime green above and gray below with bold white eyering. Breeds mainly in secondary forests, especially areas with large shrubs and young trees. Does well in disturbed habitats, particularly power line cuts and areas that have been logged. Forages for insects. Winters in Central America.

Blackburnian Warbler

Yellow Rumped (Myrtle) Warbler

Always a fan favorite; known for its flame-orange throat that seems to glow even through fog and rain. Triangular black cheek patch and oddly shaped white wing patch are also distinctive. Females and immatures are washed-out versions of males—look for yellowish throat and triangular dark cheek patch. Prefers coniferous or mixed forests, but can be found in any wooded habitat during migration. Winters in mountains of northern South America. Forages for insects, often near treetops.

One of the most common and widespread warblers. Breeds in forested areas with at least some conifers. Found in open woods and shrubby areas during migration and winter, including coastal vegetation, parks, and residential areas. Forages for insects, often sallying out to snatch them in midair. Also eats berries in winter. Often travels in large flocks. Two subspecies: "Audubon's" in the West and "Myrtle" in the East. "Audubon's" has a yellow throat in all plumages. "Myrtle" has whitish throat. Most abundant wintering warbler in the U.S.

Grace's Warbler

Found in pine forests, where it stays high in trees foraging for insects. Gray above and white below with striking yellow throat, breast, and eyebrow. Two white wingbars. Compare with "Audubon's" Yellow-rumped Warbler, which has yellow on sides and rump, no yellow eyebrow, and yellow restricted to throat (not breast). Grace's sings a choppy, usually two-parted musical trill.

Yellow Throated Warbler

Long bill for a warbler. Bold color pattern with yellow throat, black mask, and black streaks on breast. Gray-blue back. Favors sycamore-laden creeks and pine forests where they forage for insects. Prefers palm trees in some parts of wintering range.

Black Throated Green Warbler

Bright yellow face with olive cheeks, crown, and back. Only breeding males have solid black throat. For all plumages, look for dark streaks on white flanks and yellow vent. Breeds in mixed coniferous forests. During migration, mostly found in wooded areas with tall trees, often in flocks with other warblers. Can be in less forested areas. Winters in Central America, Caribbean and South America.

Cerulean Warbler

Brilliant sky-blue warbler of the high canopy. Prefers mature deciduous forest, either in riparian areas, or dry mountain ridge-tops. Tends to stay high in the canopy; thus, can be difficult to see blue color. From below, look for white throat and belly, thin necklace, and dark streaks on sides. Female is a unique muted turquoise with pale eyebrow and blurry streaks on sides. Immature birds show yellow wash on underparts. All plumages have bold white wingbars. Easiest to detect by its loud buzzy song, similar to Black-throated Blue but usually richer and more distinctly three-parted; much lower-pitched than Blackburnian Warbler.

Magnolia Warbler

Breeding males are striking with black mask, white eyebrow, gray crown, white wing patch, and yellow throat and breast with necklace of black streaks. In fall, their color pattern is more diffuse gray and yellow. Always look for tail pattern from below: basal half is white, tip is black. Forages for insects in forested areas. Travels in flocks with other warblers and songbirds in migration and winter. Winters in Central America.

Cape May Warbler

Small warbler with sharp bill that is very slightly downcurved. Plumages variable. Bright adult males are yellow below with black streaks, orange cheek patch, and white patch on wing. Dullest immature females are entirely gray with indistinct streaking below, usually with a hint of paler neck sides and greenish edges to wing feathers. Breeds in boreal forest of far northern U.S. and Canada. Winters in the Caribbean and Central America. Even in migration, shows a heavy preference for spruce trees.

Mangrove Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Typically yellow overall, but some immatures can be almost completely gray. Some have reddish-brown streaks below. Always looks uniform and plain-faced. Forages for insects in wooded and shrubby areas, often fairly low to the ground. Favors riparian habitats, edges of ponds, marshes, and woods, particularly where willows are present. Winters in Central America.

Wilson's Warbler

Small, bright yellow warbler with olive upperparts. Many have a distinctive black cap. Compared with Yellow Warbler, note its small size, smaller bill, and relatively longer, thinner tail. Forages in dense shrubs for insects. Winters in Central America.

Prairie Warbler

Small warbler, yellow overall with black streaks on sides and unique face pattern. Upperparts are duller olive. Reddish streaks on back are distinctive, but can be difficult to see or absent on immatures. Long tail is often pumped up and down, but not as consistently as Palm Warbler. Forages for insects in a range of shrubby habitats, from cedar-studded fields to regenerating woods to mangroves in Florida. Winters in Florida and the Caribbean.

Hooded Warbler

Rather small, yellow warbler that habitually flashes its white outer tail feathers. Males have distinctive black hood with yellow face; females duller with only a shadow of hood (some lack it completely). Most similar to Wilson's Warbler; always look for white in the tail on Hooded. Generally a bird of the understory in mature forest, often around patches of rhododendron. Song similar to Magnolia Warbler but stronger; "weeta-weeta-weeTEEyoo". Call sounds like two shot glasses being chinked together.

Canada Warbler

Spiffy warbler found in boggy areas. Blue-gray above and yellow below with distinctive yellow spectacles and necklace of black streaks. Legs are pale orange. Females show fainter necklace than males. Typically found in low vegetation, especially wet woods and thickets. Nests on the ground. Feeds on insects. One of the longest-distance migrant warblers; winters in South America.

Palm Warbler

Fairly dull warbler, constantly bobs its tail. Often low in vegetation, or on the ground. Plumage varies in brightness, but always shows rufous cap, pale eyebrow, and some brown streaks on breast. Forages for insects in a variety of shrubby and open habitats. Breeds in bogs and clearings in the boreal forest. One of the more common warblers wintering in the southern U.S. Also winters in the Caribbean and Yucatan Peninsula. Two populations: "Western" is browner, "Yellow" has brighter underparts.

Mourning Warbler

Robust warbler found near the ground in thick vegetation. Yellow below with blue-gray head and olive back. Adult males show black chest patch. Immature birds have duller olive-green head. Note pink legs. Breeds in brushy, weedy clearings with some trees. Often favors raspberry thickets. Often hidden in vegetation and skulks near the ground, so listen for its rolling song "churry churry churry chew." Feeds on insects. Similar to MacGillivray's Warbler, but limited range overlap during breeding season and migration, and lacks white eye-arcs. Winters in Central and South America.

Connecticut Warbler

Large, skulky, and seldom-seen warbler. Typically found very low in dense tangles and thickets, where it walks along branches or on the ground. Breeds in boggy forest with spruce or tamarack. In migration, found where weedy fields meet a forest edge, especially with dense thickets, goldenrod, and jewelweed. A late spring migrant. Lemon-yellow below and olive-brown above with gray hood and complete white eyering. Female slightly duller than male. Immature has brownish hood, not gray. Similar to Mourning Warbler and immature Common Yellowthroat; look for complete white eyering, large size, long undertail coverts, and habit of walking rather than hopping.

Common Yellow Throat

Gray Crowned Yellowthroat

Retiring, olive and yellow warbler of savannas and grassy fields with scattered bushes or low palmetto shrubs. Not in wet marshes, unlike Common Yellowthroat. Perches on bushes and fences to sing and call, when often cocks and twitches tail, and sometimes raises a bushy crest. Sexes look alike, with a grayish crown and small black mask between the eyes and bill; populations south to Honduras have white eye-arcs, lacking in populations of southern Central America.

Kentucky Warbler

Shy warbler of deciduous forest with thick understory. Often found in swampy areas or near slow-moving streams. Bright yellow below with olive back. Telltale black mask set off by yellow spectacles and throat. All plumages show face pattern; adult males boldest with black crown, females and immatures duller with grayish or olive crown. In the breeding season, more often heard than seen. Song is a series of 4-8 loud, rich, rolling notes "preet, preet, preet, preet." Can perch high when singing, otherwise stays near the ground.

Black and White Warbler

American Redstart

Distinctive warbler with diagnostic black-and-white stripes over entire body. Creeps along branches like a nuthatch, searching for insects. Favors areas with large, deciduous trees. Breeding male Blackpoll Warbler is potentially confusing, but note different behavior and face pattern.

Adult males are black with bright orange wings, tail, and sides. Much smaller and more active than other black-and-orange birds like orioles. Females and immature males have gray head, olive back, and yellow patches instead of orange. This warbler forages in trees and bushes, habitually flicking its tail and wings to scare up insects. Breeds in deciduous forests (mature and secondary growth). Winters in Central and South America.

Tennessee Warbler

Tiny, greenish warbler that breeds in boreal forest. Breeding males have lime-green back, pale blue-gray head, and dingy whitish underparts. Females and immatures generally show more yellow overall, but still dull. Note thin dark line through the eye, paler eyebrow, and whitish undertail coverts. Most similar to Orange-crowned Warbler. Look for cleaner, unstreaked breast and white (not yellow) undertail coverts. Loud song for such a small bird; usually three-parted series of accelerating chips. Often found around flowering trees during migration. Winters in Central and South America.

Orange Crowned Warbler

Nondescript warbler, generally olive overall, but different populations vary from grayer to brighter yellow. Overall very plain, but note darkish line through eye and thin pale eye arcs. Forages for insects in scrubby areas at edges of woods or low, thick shrubs. Bill is more sharply pointed than most other warblers. More common in the western U.S. and Mexico, where populations are brighter yellow-green. Birds in the eastern U.S. are scarcer and drabber gray. Bright yellow undertail coverts help separate it from similarly drab Tennessee Warbler. Winters in southern U.S. through Central America.

Nashville Warbler

Virginia's Warbler

Small warbler with sharply pointed bill. Look for gray head, white eyering, yellow underparts (including throat) and olive back. Forages for insects in trees and large shrubs; often found in brushier areas during migration. Sometimes pumps tail. Listen for its loud, chipping song broken into two parts. Winters in Central America.

Gray warbler with yellow undertail found in open brushy woodlands. All but the dullest immatures show yellow patch on breast. Thin white eyering. Similar to Nashville Warbler but grayer and without green on back or wings. In migration, joins foraging flocks of other warblers and songbirds. Song is a sweet two- or three-parted warble.

Swainson's Warbler

Shy and difficult to see in deciduous forest with dense understory, often near water. Listen for its loud, sweet song, similar to Louisiana Waterthrush but without the complex ending. Plain buffy-brown coloration with rufous crown and dark eye-line. Pink legs and disproportionately large, sharp, flesh-colored bill. Shimmies tail side-to-side as it slowly forages on the forest floor, investigating fallen leaf litter for food.

Worm Eating Warbler

Drab warbler dressed in subtle shades of olive, brown, and buff. Note black and tan stripes on head and long, sharp bill. Pinkish legs. This skulky warbler is often seen in the understory, probing clumps of dead leaves in search of insects. Prefers steep dry slopes in deciduous woodlands. Listen for males singing a dry, insectlike trill that is very similar to Chipping Sparrow. Appearance most similar to Swainson's Warbler; distinguished by head pattern (Swainson’s has a rufous crown, Worm-eating has a striped head) and habits (Swainson's usually found on the ground, Worm-eating in low understory).

Ovenbird

Secretive warbler that lacks vibrant colors, but compensates with its enormous voice. Olive-brown above with black streaks on white breast and bold white eyering. Orange crown bordered by black on either side. Forages for insects by walking along branches and on the ground. Breeds primarily in areas with extensive forest. Listen for its loud song that builds in volume: "tea-cher, TEA-cher, TEA-CHER!" Possible to confuse with thrushes, but smaller, and walks instead of hops. Winters in Central America.

Northern Watertrush

Large, chunky warbler; dark brown above with dark streaks on pale yellowish breast. Yellowish stripe above eye. Forages for insects by walking along edges of still ponds and standing pools, constantly bobbing its backside up and down. Breeds in thickets near ponds and wet areas. Listen for its loud, three-parted, chipping song. Possible to confuse with thrushes but smaller. Winters in Central America, Caribbean, and northern South America.

Louisiana Waterthrush

Brown-and-white denizen of bubbling streams and brooks. Stays on the ground or in low vegetation, constantly bobbing its rear end up and down. During the breeding season, favors steeper ravines with hemlocks and fast-moving water with lots of rocks to hop on. Much like Northern Waterthrush, but whiter base color below, brighter pink legs, and broader white eyebrow. Distinctly different song: several piercing clear whistles followed by a complex jumble of notes. Call is a loud, metallic chip.

Yellow Breasted Chat

Long-tailed tanager-like bird with thick bill. Bright yellow throat and breast, contrasting white spectacles, and dull olive-green upperparts. Known for its skulking habits. Often difficult to see in dense thickets, shrubby areas, and field edges. In breeding season, however, males sit on conspicuous perches to sing. Song is variable series of slow whistles, hoots, and chatters. Feeds mainly on insects; also fruit in winter.