Oreothlypis virginiae
male
Although similar to a Nashville Warbler, a Virginia’s Warbler has subtly different plumage and the two species’ breeding ranges and habitats do not overlap. The sexes are dissimilar. Adult males have blue-gray upperparts, with a dark gray tail and wings, and a yellow rump. The head has a white eyering and a chestnut crown patch that is usually concealed. The pale underparts are whitish on the throat and belly, and yellow on the breast and undertail. Adult females are similar to an adult male but less colorful. In fall, all adults have plumage that is duller and browner than in spring. Immatures are similar to an adult female but lack a crown patch and have little or no yellow on the underparts. The legs are dark in all birds.
Virginia’s Warbler is present as a breeding species to southwest U.S.A. mainly from April to August. It spends the rest of the year in Mexico. It bobs its tail up and down as it forages among foliage for insects.
female
FACT FILE
LENGTH 4.75 in (12 cm)
FOOD Invertebrates
HABITAT Dry, scrubby oak or pine woodland, often on hillside slopes
STATUS Fairly common summer visitor
VOICE The two-part song comprises swee-swee-swee-swee and swit-swit-swit-swit phrases. Call is a sharp chink
