Michigan Audubon - September 27, 2013

Featuring: The Orange-crowned Warbler
A warbler lacking field marks

Breeding Grounds
This warbler can be found in the summer months in most of Canada and the west coast of the US ranging from central California north to Washington and in some parts of Nevada and Utah.

Migration Range
Now is the perfect time to see these warblers as they migrate through Michigan, you even have a chance of spotting these warblers at CraneFest!  The Orange-crowned warbler migrates mainly through the central and eastern US states along with the southern west coast and portions of Mexico.

Wintering Grounds
During the winter months this warbler can be found in the southern states of the US ranging from California to North Carolina and throughout Mexico and Central America.

Size & Shape
The Orange-crowned Warbler is a small songbird and a medium-sized warbler.  It measures 4.3 to 5.5 inches in length with a wingspan around 7.5 inches and weighs 0.2 to 0.4 of an ounce.

Coloring
Both sexes are a dusky olive green color with a grayer crown, whitish or yellowish eye ring and blurry streaks, the female is duller than the male.  The bird's lack of any field marks is what helps identify this warbler.  It does in fact have an orange crown which is often concealed except during courtship or when alarmed.

Habitat
During summer and winter the warbler prefers forest edges, especially in low deciduous growth, burns, clearings and thickets. During migration, it is often observed in riverside willows and in scrub oak chaparral.

Food
The Orange-crowned Warbler feed predominately on insects and spiders.  It will occasionally eat berries, nectar or peanut butter.

Behavior
Very active foragers, the warbler gleans insects from leaves and tree blossoms and rapidly moves from perch to perch.

Sound
The song of this warbler is a fast trill that changes pitch at the end. Its call is a sharp chip.

Nests
Nests are constructed on the ground, usually on a steep slope.  The open cup shaped nest consist of leaves, fine twigs, bark, rootlets, weeds, moss, plant down or wool, lined with fine grasses, moss or fur.

Conservation Status
Least Concern. Populations are doing well over most of its range.  The warbler may be experiencing a gradual long-term decline.

Interesting Facts

• According to Cornell Lab of Ornithology, “The Orange-crowned Warbler is divided into four subspecies that differ in plumage color, size, and molt patterns. The one named celata is found in Alaska and across Canada, and it is the dullest and grayest. The Pacific Coast form, lutescens, is the brightest yellow. Found throughout the Rocky Mountains and Great Basin, orestera is intermediate in appearance. The form sordida is the darkest green and is found only on the Channel Islands and locally along the coast of southern California and northern Baja California.”
• Late migrants for the warbler species (late-September through mid-October), many if not all of the early fall (August to early September) reports of the Orange-crowned Warblers in the eastern US are actually dull Tennessee Warblers.

Your Bird Crew,