Setophaga pinus
male
The Pine Warbler is aptly named because it is invariably associated with pine trees. The sexes are subtly dissimilar. Adult males have mostly olive-yellow upperparts, but darker wings that have two white wingbars and white feather margins. The head has indistinct markings comprising a faint supercilium in front of the eye and an incomplete yellow eyering. The underparts are mainly yellowish, grading to white on the belly and undertail; there are faint dark streaks on the flanks. Adult females are similar but less colorful and less well marked. Immatures are duller and less colorful than their respective adults.
The Pine Warbler is present as a breeding species in northern forests mainly from April to September. In southeast U.S.A. it is present year-round, numbers there being boosted in winter by migrants from the north. It sometimes forages in low scrub, and even on the ground, when observation of the species is easy.
female
FACT FILE
LENGTH 5.25 in (13.5 cm)
FOOD Invertebrates
HABITAT Pine forests
STATUS Widespread and common summer visitor, present year-round in the southeast of its range
VOICE Song is a series of tuneful trilling notes. Call is buzzing tzeep
