MacGillivray's Warbler

Geothlypis tolmiei

MacGillivray's Warbler is a small, colorful bird that loves to hop around in bushes and shrubs. It sings a sweet song and is often found near water, making it a delightful sight for birdwatchers.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The MacGillivray's Warbler has a distinctive dark gray hood covering its head and chest, which sharply contrasts with its bright yellow belly. Look for its broken white eye-rings, resembling spectacles, which differentiate it from similar warblers.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPasseriformesFamilyParulidaeGenusGeothlypis

MacGillivray's Warbler

Interesting facts

Females choose nesting spots usually hidden very low to the ground.

MacGillivray's Warblers often flick their tails up and down while foraging!

These tiny birds migrate from western North America to Central America each year!

They have a lively, chirping song often heard from dense thickets!

Special abilities

MacGillivray's Warbler can expertly move through thick undergrowth because of its small size and agility, helping it find food and hide from predators.

MacGillivray's Warbler has keen eyesight and a quick foraging style that helps them spot and snatch insects from dense foliage.

MacGillivray's Warbler can fly thousands of miles because of its efficient metabolism, allowing it to travel between breeding and wintering grounds.

Measurements & details

Length: 12-14 cm
Wingspan: 18-20 cm
Weight: 0.009-0.015 kg
Lifespan: 2-7 years
Top Speed: 45 km/h
Clutch Size: 3-6
Incubation: 11-13 days
Migration Distance: 5000 km

Diet & Feeding

A speedy insect hunter, it primarily snacks on small bugs and spiders hidden in plants.

Primary Foods

Caterpillars
Beetles
Spiders
Leafhoppers
Aphids
Wasps

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Accipiter striatus

Fast hawk that preys on small songbirds.

parasitizes

Brown-headed Cowbird

Molothrus ater

Lays its eggs in the warbler's nest, impacting reproduction.

depends on

Red Elderberry

Sambucus racemosa

Provides dense cover for nesting and foraging.

eats

Spongy Moth

Lymantria dispar

Warblers feast on their larvae, helping control populations.

Traits

Feathered

Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers.

Social

Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.

Singing

Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species.

Colorful

Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.

Insectivorous

This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.