Kentucky Warbler

The Kentucky warbler, Geothlypis formosa, presents itself as a rather plump and lethargic warbler, with a notably short tail. It exhibits a preference for terrestrial life, often found foraging or moving about on or near the forest floor, and only ascending to the canopy to deliver its melodious song.

Identification Tips

Adults of this species are adorned with an olive-green plumage on their backs and napes, contrasting with a vibrant yellow on the throat and belly. A distinctive black mask, edged with a yellow border that extends from the beak, encircling the eyes, gives the impression of a pair of spectacles. Females are characterized by a reduced amount of black on their head sides, while juveniles may display scarcely any black at all. The Kentucky warbler's measurements are as follows: a length of 5.1 inches (13 cm), a weight ranging from 0.5 to 0.5 ounces (13-14 g), and a wingspan between 7.9 and 8.7 inches (20-22 cm).

Habitat

This warbler favors the moist deciduous forests, where the leafy canopy and dense undergrowth provide both shelter and foraging grounds.

Distribution

The Kentucky warbler boasts a broad range, albeit being considered a rare sight. During the breeding season, it can be found across the central and eastern United States, with its range extending northward to Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. As the seasons turn, it migrates to the warmer climes of the Yucatán Peninsula and the Caribbean islands, undertaking a remarkable non-stop flight across the Gulf of Mexico.

Behaviour

The Kentucky warbler is known for its ground-nesting habits and its tendency to remain low to the ground. It is less often observed flitting through the treetops and is more commonly encountered amidst the leaf litter of the forest floor.

Song & Calls

The warbler's song is a cheerful and persistent melody, often heard during the breeding season as the male asserts his presence and defends his territory.

Breeding

Nests are artfully concealed at the base of a shrub or within a clump of weeds, camouflaged by the surrounding vegetation. The female lays a clutch of 3 to 6 eggs, which are white or cream in color, speckled with brown. Incubation is solely the female's duty, lasting approximately 12 days. The fledglings take their first tentative flights about 10 days post-hatching.

Conservation status

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified the Kentucky warbler as Least Concern, indicating that, at present, there are no immediate threats to its population numbers that would warrant a higher level of concern.