Grace's Warbler

Grace's warbler, a diminutive avian jewel of the New World warblers, is an embodiment of grace and vibrancy. This small bird, measuring a mere 11 to 13 centimeters in length, is adorned with a predominantly grey plumage on its upper parts, elegantly etched with broken black streaks across its back and flanks. Its wings boast two distinctive white bars, adding to its delicate appearance. The throat and breast of this warbler shine with a resplendent yellow, while the remainder of its underparts are a pristine white. A striking yellow half-eye ring sits beneath the eye, and a long yellow "eyebrow" stripe commences at the base of the beak, running above the eye and gently fading to white post-eye.

Identification Tips

When endeavoring to identify Grace's warbler, look for the characteristic yellow "eyebrow" stripe and half-eye ring, the two white wing bars, and the intricate black streaking on its back. The vibrant yellow throat and breast contrast sharply with the white belly, aiding in its identification amidst the pine boughs.

Habitat

Grace's warbler is a specialist of pine forests but in the northern reaches of its range, it may also be found in spruce-fir forests. It shows a preference for open, parklike woodlands and, in certain locales such as northern Arizona, an understory of Gambel's oak is favored.

Distribution

This warbler breeds from the southwestern United States down to Nicaragua, with a wintering range extending from northeastern Sinaloa and northwestern Durango southward. In the United States and northern Mexico, it typically resides at altitudes ranging from 1,800 to 2,700 meters, while farther south, it may be found as low as 250 meters.

Breeding

The Grace's warbler's nest is a compact cup of plant fibers, lined with hair and feathers, and strategically placed high on a tree branch, typically pine. The female lays a clutch of 3 to 5 eggs, which are white or cream-colored, speckled with brown, and ringed at the larger end.

Diet and Feeding

Grace's warbler sustains itself exclusively on insects and spiders, as far as studies have revealed. It forages predominantly high in pine trees, extracting its prey from the bases of needle clusters and the upper bark of branches no thicker than its own body. In Arizona, it rarely takes flight to catch insects, whereas in Nicaragua, aerial foraging is more common.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List classifies Grace's warbler as Least Concern, indicating that, at present, there are no immediate threats to its population levels that would warrant a higher degree of conservation concern.