# 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. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 11 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![MacGillivray's Warbler](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Geothlypis_tolmiei_Hungry_Horse_MT_1%252C_crop.jpg&width=800) Photo: Caleb Putnam, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Geothlypis_tolmiei_Hungry_Horse_MT_1%252C_crop.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Parulidae - **Genus:** Geothlypis ## 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 - **Dense Cover Navigator:** MacGillivray's Warbler can expertly move through thick undergrowth because of its small size and agility, helping it find food and hide from predators. - **Insect Seeker:** MacGillivray's Warbler has keen eyesight and a quick foraging style that helps them spot and snatch insects from dense foliage. - **Migration Stamina:** 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 - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sharp-shinned-hawk) (*Accipiter striatus*) — Fast hawk that preys on small songbirds. - **Parasitizes:** [Brown-headed Cowbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spongy-moth) (*Lymantria dispar*) — Warblers feast on their larvae, helping control populations. ## 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. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/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. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch birds from a distance and be quiet so you don't scare them away. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify MacGillivray's 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 MacGillivray's Warbler? 12-14 cm ### What is MacGillivray's Warbler's wingspan? 18-20 cm ### How much does MacGillivray's Warbler weigh? 0.009-0.015 kg ### How long does MacGillivray's Warbler live? 2-7 years ### How fast can MacGillivray's Warbler move? 45 km/h ### What does MacGillivray's Warbler eat? A speedy insect hunter, it primarily snacks on small bugs and spiders hidden in plants. ### Where is MacGillivray's Warbler usually found? Wetlands ## Where to spot - [Lower Cushman Dam](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lower-cushman-dam) — Washington, US · Historic Site - [Capitol State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/capitol-state-forest) — Washington, US · Forest - [Cushman Dam](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cushman-dam) — Washington, US · Historic Site - [Hunter Hereford Ranch Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hunter-hereford-ranch-historic-district) — Wyoming, US · Historic District - [Kishenehn Ranger Station Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kishenehn-ranger-station-historic-district) — Montana, US · Historic District - [Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/shark-reef-at-mandalay-bay) — Nevada, US · Zoo [View all places to see MacGillivray's Warbler](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/macgillivrays-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: [MacGillivray's Warbler: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/macgillivrays-warbler)