Tp warblers-presentation

Identifying WarblersOn the Upper Texas Coast

(A Seminar)

Produced for the

Houston Audubon Society

by Don by Don RichardsonRichardson

©© 20052005

Version - PreliminaryVersion - Preliminary

Special Photographsfrom Texas Photographers

Linda AlleyErik Breden

Bill DukeDwayne Litteer

Photographs are from Vireo* and Cornell

Photographers:

• Johann Schumacher• John Heidecker• John Dunning• L. Page Brown• Lang Elliott• Linda Drake• Mike Hopiak• R. & N. Bowers*• William Paff• Wilson Bloomer• Smithsonian Inst.

• Betty Cottrille• Bill Dyre• D. & M. Zimmerman*• D. & E. Phillips• Donald Waite• Doug Wechsler*• E. Endrigo*• Herbert Clark• Isidor Jaklin• J. Hoffman• Jack Murray• Jim Wedge

Migration

The American Redstart The American Redstart (see left) migrates (see left) migrates across the Gulf of across the Gulf of Mexico.Mexico.

Many warblers do just Many warblers do just that. They migrate for that. They migrate for very good reasons. very good reasons. Some of them might Some of them might surprise you.surprise you.

The Genus Protonotaria

The one species in the genus The one species in the genus ProtonotariaProtonotaria is is a regular migrant and breeder on the Upper a regular migrant and breeder on the Upper Texas Coast.Texas Coast.

Prothonotary WarblerProthonotary Warbler

This one This one ProtonotariaProtonotaria genus member is genus member is noted for its bright color, a large bill, a short noted for its bright color, a large bill, a short tail and the unusual habit (for a warbler) of tail and the unusual habit (for a warbler) of nesting in a cavity.nesting in a cavity.

Prothonotary WarblerProthonotary Warbler

Protonotaria citreaProtonotaria citrea

Song

© 2005 Linda Alley© 2005 Linda Alley

Prothonotary WarblerProthonotary Warbler Protonotaria citreaProtonotaria citrea

The Genus VermivoraWe’ll discuss six species in the genus We’ll discuss six species in the genus VermivoraVermivora::

Blue-winged WarblerBlue-winged Warbler

Golden-winged WarblerGolden-winged Warbler

Brewster’s WarblerBrewster’s Warbler

Tennessee WarblerTennessee Warbler

Orange-crowned WarblerOrange-crowned Warbler

Nashville WarblerNashville Warbler

AboutVermivora Warblers

Small with sharply pointed bills.Small with sharply pointed bills.

Lack strong contrasting patterns.Lack strong contrasting patterns.

Most utilize nectar in non-breeding Most utilize nectar in non-breeding seasons.seasons.

Most nest on or near the ground.Most nest on or near the ground.

They forage in dead leaf clusters.They forage in dead leaf clusters.


Vermivora pinusVermivora pinus

Song

© 2005 Bill Duke



© 2005 Bill Duke




Vermivora chrysopteraVermivora chrysoptera

Song


Vermivora chrysopteraVermivora chrysoptera

Brewster’s WarblerBrewster’s Warbler

Blue-winged / Golden-winged HybridBlue-winged / Golden-winged Hybrid


Vermivora peregrinaVermivora peregrina

Song







© 2005 Bill Duke© 2005 Bill Duke



Orange-crowned WarblerOrange-crowned Warbler

Vermivora celataVermivora celata

Song

Orange-crowned WarblerOrange-crowned Warbler Vermivora celataVermivora celata


Orange-crowned WarblerOrange-crowned Warbler Vermivora celataVermivora celata




Vermivora ruficapillaVermivora ruficapilla

Song


Vermivora ruficapillaVermivora ruficapilla

The Genus Parula

We see just two species in the genus We see just two species in the genus ParulaParula on the Upper Texas Coast. One of them, the on the Upper Texas Coast. One of them, the Tropical Parula, is pretty rare.Tropical Parula, is pretty rare.

Northern ParulaNorthern Parula

Tropical ParulaTropical Parula

AboutParula Warblers

Small with green or black patches on the Small with green or black patches on the back.back.

Pale mandibles.Pale mandibles.

Buzzy songs.Buzzy songs.

Short tails.Short tails.

Sexual dimorphism is limited and is Sexual dimorphism is limited and is strongest in the north.strongest in the north.


Parula americanaParula americana

Song


Parula americanaParula americana

Tropical ParulaTropical Parula

Parula pitiayumiParula pitiayumi

Song

The Genus DendroicaOur largest genus is Our largest genus is DendroicaDendroica. We’ll look at . We’ll look at eighteen species.eighteen species.

Chestnut-sided WarblerChestnut-sided Warbler

Cape May WarblerCape May Warbler

Magnolia WarblerMagnolia Warbler

Yellow-rumped WarblerYellow-rumped Warbler

Black-throated Blue WarblerBlack-throated Blue Warbler

Cerulean WarblerCerulean Warbler

Blackburnian WarblerBlackburnian Warbler

Black-throated Gray WarblerBlack-throated Gray Warbler

Townsend’s WarblerTownsend’s Warbler

Black-throated Green WarblerBlack-throated Green Warbler

Grace’s WarblerGrace’s Warbler

Yellow-throated WarblerYellow-throated Warbler

Prairie WarblerPrairie Warbler

Bay-breasted WarblerBay-breasted Warbler

Blackpoll WarblerBlackpoll Warbler

Pine WarblerPine Warbler

Palm WarblerPalm Warbler

Yellow WarblerYellow Warbler

AboutDendroica Warblers

Most have contrasting plumage marks Most have contrasting plumage marks (eye patterns, tail spots, wingbars, flank (eye patterns, tail spots, wingbars, flank streaks).streaks).

Sexual dimorphism is slight to strong.Sexual dimorphism is slight to strong.

Medium in size.Medium in size.

Of twenty-seven species, all but six reside Of twenty-seven species, all but six reside in North America.in North America.


Dendroica pensylvanicaDendroica pensylvanica

Song






Cape May Warbler - MaleCape May Warbler - Male

Dendroica tigrinaDendroica tigrina

Song

Cape May Warbler - FemaleCape May Warbler - Female

Dendroica tigrinaDendroica tigrina

Magnolia Warbler - MaleMagnolia Warbler - Male

Dendroica magnoliaDendroica magnolia

Song Call

Magnolia Warbler - FemaleMagnolia Warbler - Female

Dendroica magnoliaDendroica magnolia

Yellow-rumped WarblerYellow-rumped Warbler

Dendroica coronataDendroica coronata

Song Song Call


Black-throated Blue WarblerBlack-throated Blue Warbler

Dendroica caerulescensDendroica caerulescens

Song Call

Black-throated Blue Warbler - FemaleBlack-throated Blue Warbler - Female

Dendroica caerulescensDendroica caerulescens


Dendroica ceruleaDendroica cerulea

Song


Dendroica ceruleaDendroica cerulea


Dendroica fuscaDendroica fusca

Song

© 2005 Bill Duke


Dendroica fuscaDendroica fusca© 2005 Linda Alley© 2005 Linda Alley

Blackburnian Blackburnian WarblerWarbler


© 2005 Bill Duke



Song

Black-throated Gray WarblerBlack-throated Gray Warbler

Dendroica negrescensDendroica negrescens

Song

Townsend’s WarblerTownsend’s Warbler

Dendroica townsendiDendroica townsendi

Song


Dendroica virensDendroica virens

Song


Black-throated Green WarblerBlack-throated Green Warbler Dendroica virensDendroica virens

© © 2005 Linda Alley2005 Linda Alley


Dendroica virensDendroica virens


Dendroica dominicaDendroica dominica

Song



Dendroica dominicaDendroica dominica

Prairie WarblerPrairie Warbler

Dendroica discolorDendroica discolor

Song


Dendroica castaneaDendroica castanea

Song


Dendroica castaneaDendroica castanea



Dendroica striataDendroica striata

Song







Dendroica pinusDendroica pinus

Song







Dendroica palmarumDendroica palmarum

Song


Dendroica palmarumDendroica palmarum


Dendroica petechiaDendroica petechia

Song




© 2005 Dwayne Litteer© 2005 Dwayne Litteer





©© 22000055 LLiinnddaa AAlllleeyy





The Genus Mniotilta

The only species in the genus The only species in the genus MniotiltaMniotilta on on the Upper Texas Coast is the Black-and-white the Upper Texas Coast is the Black-and-white Warbler. It’s easy to identify.Warbler. It’s easy to identify.

Black-and-white WarblerBlack-and-white Warbler

AboutMniotilta Warblers

Medium sized.Medium sized.

Feed by crawling along branches and Feed by crawling along branches and trunks in search of insects.trunks in search of insects.


Mniotilta variaMniotilta varia

Song







© 2005 Bill Duke

The Genus Oporornis

The genus The genus oporornisoporornis contains four species contains four species seen on the Upper Texas Coast but some are seen on the Upper Texas Coast but some are pretty rare.pretty rare.

Mourning WarblerMourning Warbler

MacGillivray’s WarblerMacGillivray’s Warbler

Connecticut WarblerConnecticut Warbler

Kentucky WarblerKentucky Warbler

AboutOporornis Warblers

Medium-large in size.Medium-large in size.

Feed on or near the ground.Feed on or near the ground.

Olive above and yellow below.Olive above and yellow below.

Age and sex differences are moderate.Age and sex differences are moderate.

Chanting songs.Chanting songs.


Oporornis philadelphiaOporornis philadelphia

Song


Oporornis philadelphiaOporornis philadelphia


Oporornis tolmieiOporornis tolmiei

Song


Oporornis tolmieiOporornis tolmiei


Connecticut WarblerConnecticut Warbler

Oporornis agilisOporornis agilis

Song

Kentucky Kentucky WarblerWarbler

Oporornis Oporornis formosusformosus

Song

Call


Kentucky WarblerKentucky Warbler

Oporornis formosusOporornis formosus

Song Call


The Genus Wilsonia

On the Upper Texas Coast we can see three On the Upper Texas Coast we can see three members of the genus members of the genus WilsoniaWilsonia..

Canada WarblerCanada Warbler

Wilson’s WarblerWilson’s Warbler

Hooded WarblerHooded Warbler

AboutWilsonia Warblers

Small in size.Small in size.

Green or gray above.Green or gray above.

Black markings on head or neck – Black markings on head or neck – prominent in males.prominent in males.

Have well developed rectil* bristles for fly Have well developed rectil* bristles for fly catching.catching.

Their long tail is often flicked about.Their long tail is often flicked about.

* Rectil – Fine stiff feathers, developed into a * Rectil – Fine stiff feathers, developed into a tactile “insect net” around the mouth like the tactile “insect net” around the mouth like the nightjars.nightjars.


Wilsonia canadensisWilsonia canadensis

Song










Wilsonia pusillaWilsonia pusilla

Song Call




Song Call




Wilsonia citrinaWilsonia citrina

Song







The Genera Helmitheros and Limnothlypis

These genera contain just one species each These genera contain just one species each and are listed respectively.and are listed respectively.

Worm-eating WarblerWorm-eating Warbler

Swainson’s WarblerSwainson’s Warbler

About Helmitheros1 and Limnothlypis2 Warblers

1 -1 -

Spike bill and short tail with bold head Spike bill and short tail with bold head stripes. stripes.

Feeds low in dead leaves.Feeds low in dead leaves.

2 -2 -

One large terrestrial species.One large terrestrial species.

Feeds on the ground, flipping dead leaves.Feeds on the ground, flipping dead leaves.


Helmitheros vermivorusHelmitheros vermivorus

Song

Call





© 2005 Bill Duke


Limnothlypis swainsoniiLimnothlypis swainsonii

Song

© 2005 Erik Breden© 2005 Erik Breden


Limnothlypis swainsoniiLimnothlypis swainsonii

The Genus Seiurus

The three species in the genus The three species in the genus SeiurusSeiurus are are all ground feeders.all ground feeders.

OvenbirdOvenbird

Louisiana WaterthrushLouisiana Waterthrush

Northern WaterthrushNorthern Waterthrush

AboutSeiurus Warblers

Large, walking, terrestrial species.Large, walking, terrestrial species.

Brown or olive upperparts.Brown or olive upperparts.

Streaked or spotted underparts.Streaked or spotted underparts.

Strong supercilium.Strong supercilium.

Tail bobbing behavior.Tail bobbing behavior.

OvenbirdOvenbird

Seiurus aurocapillusSeiurus aurocapillus

Song


Seiurus motacillaSeiurus motacilla

Song Call



Seiurus motacillaSeiurus motacilla



Northern WaterthrushNorthern Waterthrush

Seiurus noveboracensisSeiurus noveboracensis

Song Call

The Genus Geothlypis

There is but one species in the genus There is but one species in the genus GeothlypisGeothlypis in North America.in North America.

Common YellowthroatCommon Yellowthroat

AboutGeothlypis Warblers

Large, skulking, and wren-like.Large, skulking, and wren-like.

Prefers the marsh or dense brush.Prefers the marsh or dense brush.

Generally olive above, yellow below, Generally olive above, yellow below, males have a black mask.males have a black mask.


Geothlypis trichasGeothlypis trichas

Song Song Call







Common Yellowthroat ♀Common Yellowthroat ♀



The Genus Icteria

The only species in the genus The only species in the genus IcteriaIcteria is well is well named. It is truly the champion “loudmouth” named. It is truly the champion “loudmouth” of all the warblers.of all the warblers.

Yellow-breasted ChatYellow-breasted Chat

AboutIcteria Warblers

One very large warbler.One very large warbler.

Exceptionally thick bill.Exceptionally thick bill.

Long tail.Long tail.

Harsh, un-warbler-like voice.Harsh, un-warbler-like voice.

Aurally loud but visually secretive.Aurally loud but visually secretive.


Icteria virensIcteria virens

Song Call



Icteria virensIcteria virens

The Genus Setophaga

The only species in the genus The only species in the genus SetophagaSetophaga is a is a regular migrant on the Upper Texas Coast.regular migrant on the Upper Texas Coast.

American RedstartAmerican Redstart

AboutSetophaga Warblers

Strong sexual dimorphism.Strong sexual dimorphism.

Adult plumage reached in the second Adult plumage reached in the second year.year.

Wing and tail spots are fanned regularly.Wing and tail spots are fanned regularly.


Setophaga ruticillaSetophaga ruticilla


Song Call






Houston Audubon SocietyWe are one of the largest and most active chapters We are one of the largest and most active chapters of the National Audubon Society. Houston Audubon of the National Audubon Society. Houston Audubon

is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and is is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and is supported by member dues and donations from supported by member dues and donations from individuals, foundations and corporations. We individuals, foundations and corporations. We receive limited funding from National Audubon receive limited funding from National Audubon

Society and no funds from the city or state Society and no funds from the city or state government. Contributions made to us remain in our government. Contributions made to us remain in our

13-county area and support our activities. Our 13-county area and support our activities. Our mission is to "promote the conservation and mission is to "promote the conservation and appreciation of birds and wildlife habitat."appreciation of birds and wildlife habitat."

Houston Audubon Houston Audubon SanctuariesSanctuaries

include over 3000 include over 3000 acres of varied acres of varied habitat including habitat including the internationally the internationally famous High Island famous High Island and Bolivar Flats and Bolivar Flats Sanctuaries.Sanctuaries.

The author of this program hopes you will help the Houston Audubon Society continue to maintain

these sanctuaries and to obtain new ones. Please send a contribution to them.

Houston Audubon SocietyHouston Audubon Society

440 Wilchester Blvd.440 Wilchester Blvd.Houston, Texas 77079Houston, Texas 77079

Thank you from the authorThank you from the authorDon RichardsonDon Richardson

Education

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