MacGillivray's Warbler

The MacGillivray's Warbler, Geothlypis tolmiei, presents itself as a rather inconspicuous avian species, with adults donning an olive-green hue on their upperparts and a more subdued yellow on the underparts. The males are distinguished by their black heads and breasts, a stark contrast to the drab light gray heads of females and immature birds. Both sexes, however, share a characteristic broken white eye-ring, adding a touch of intrigue to their otherwise understated appearance.

Identification Tips

When attempting to identify the MacGillivray's Warbler, one should note the length of the bird, which ranges from 3.9 to 5.9 inches, and its wingspan, which extends to about 7.5 inches. The bird's weight is quite light, falling between 0.3 and 0.5 ounces. Observers should look for the distinctive black head and breast in males and the broken white eye-ring in both sexes.

Habitat

During the breeding season, the MacGillivray's Warbler favors the temperate forests of the western United States and the boreal forests of western Canada, where it can be found flitting about in the understory.

Distribution

This species is migratory, spending the balmy summers in North America's western forests and retreating to the temperate shrublands of Central America to overwinter.

Behaviour

MacGillivray's Warblers are known for their somewhat lethargic demeanor, often preferring to remain close to the ground. They are not the most conspicuous of warblers, tending to keep to themselves unless voicing their presence through song.

Song & Calls

The vocal repertoire of the MacGillivray's Warbler is a series of two-note phrases that crescendo in volume, culminating in a pair of single notes: "jeeter jeeter jeeter JEETER JEETER jeet jeet."

Similar Species

The MacGillivray's Warbler bears a close resemblance to its eastern counterpart, the Mourning Warbler. The primary distinction lies in the presence of the eye-ring in MacGillivray's Warbler, which is absent in the Mourning Warbler.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List categorizes the MacGillivray's Warbler as a species of Least Concern, indicating that, for now, this bird does not face any immediate threat of extinction.