Setophaga discolor
male
Despite its name, the Prairie Warbler is not a grassland species. The sexes are subtly dissimilar. Adult males have olive-yellow upperparts, and subtly darker wings with two pale yellowish wingbars. The head pattern comprises a yellow face adorned with a dark eye stripe linked to a dark semicircle below the eye. The throat and underparts are mostly bright yellow with black streaks on the flanks and sides of the neck. Adult females are similar to an adult male but the face markings are indistinct. Immatures are duller and paler overall than their respective adults.
The Prairie Warbler is present as a breeding species in eastern North America mainly from May to August. At other times of the year it is found in the Caribbean region, with some birds spending the winter in Florida. While foraging for insects, the tail is usually pumped up and down.
female
FACT FILE
LENGTH 4.75 in (12 cm)
FOOD Invertebrates
HABITAT Scrub-colonized grassland and young-growth woodland
STATUS Widespread and locally common summer visitor; local in winter
VOICE Song is a series of buzzing tsu, tsu, tsi-si-si-si notes that rise in pitch. Call is a sharp tchip
