# Chestnut-sided Warbler (*Setophaga pensylvanica*) The Chestnut-sided Warbler is a small, colorful bird that loves to sing. It has bright yellow and chestnut colors that make it stand out in the trees. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 16 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Chestnut-sided Warbler](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Chestnut-sided_Warbler_%28male%29_Sabine_Woods_TX_2018-04-28_07-15-04_%2841479720584%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Bettina Arrigoni, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chestnut-sided_Warbler_%28male%29_Sabine_Woods_TX_2018-04-28_07-15-04_%2841479720584%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Chestnut-sided Warbler has a vibrant yellow cap and white underparts, strikingly contrasted by bold chestnut stripes along its sides. A distinct black eye-line extends from its beak, and white wing-bars stand out against its olive-green back, making it easily identifiable among other warblers. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Parulidae - **Genus:** Setophaga ## Interesting facts - Their cheerful song, often described as 'Pleased, pleased, pleased to MEATCHA!', is very distinct. - These tiny birds can eat over half their body weight in insects every single day! - They love bushy, disturbed areas, often appearing where old forests have been cut down. - Young Chestnut-sided Warblers look totally different, mostly yellow with no chestnut sides! ## Special abilities - **Acrobatic Forager:** Chestnut-sided Warblers can hang upside down to snatch hidden insects from leaves and branches. - **Distinctive Songster:** Chestnut-sided Warblers have two unique song types, helping them defend territory and attract mates. - **Migration Navigator:** Chestnut-sided Warblers can travel thousands of kilometers each year to find optimal food and weather. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 11.5-13.5 cm - **Wingspan:** 18-21 cm - **Weight:** 0.008-0.013 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-5 years - **Speed:** 35 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-5 - **Incubation:** 11-12 days - **Migration Distance:** 3500 km ## Diet & Feeding These tiny birds mostly feast on small insects and spiders, sometimes snacking on berries too! - **Primary Foods:** Caterpillars, Spiders, Beetles, Ants, Flies, Small Berries - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Sharp-shinned Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sharp-shinned-hawk) (*Accipiter striatus*) — Small raptors prey on adult warblers. - **Eaten by:** [Domestic Cat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/domestic-cat) (*Felis catus*) — Free-roaming cats pose a significant threat to warblers. - **Depends on:** [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) — Provides insects and nesting habitat in deciduous forests. - **Depends on:** [Red Maple](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-maple) (*Acer rubrum*) — Used for foraging and nesting in many breeding habitats. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching birds from a distance and don't disturb their nests. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Chestnut-sided Warbler? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Chestnut-sided Warbler? 11.5-13.5 cm ### What is Chestnut-sided Warbler's wingspan? 18-21 cm ### How much does Chestnut-sided Warbler weigh? 0.008-0.013 kg ### How long does Chestnut-sided Warbler live? 3-5 years ### How fast can Chestnut-sided Warbler move? 35 km/h ### What does Chestnut-sided Warbler eat? These tiny birds mostly feast on small insects and spiders, sometimes snacking on berries too! ### Where is Chestnut-sided Warbler usually found? Forests ## Where to spot - [Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/corkscrew-swamp-sanctuary) — Florida, US · Nature Reserve - [Harraseeket Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/harraseeket-historic-district) — Maine, US · Historic District - [Lily Gardens Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lily-gardens-park) — Illinois, US · Park - [McDade Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mcdade-park) — Pennsylvania, US · Botanical Garden - [Battle of Camp Allegheny](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/battle-of-camp-allegheny) — West Virginia, US · Historic Site - [Chalco Hills Recreation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chalco-hills-recreation-area) — Nebraska, US · Nature Reserve [View all places to see Chestnut-sided Warbler](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/chestnut-sided-warbler) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Chestnut-sided Warbler: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/chestnut-sided-warbler)