Documentation of
Worm-eating Warbler
2010-190
Observer Information
Reporter:
David Silverman
Other Observers:
None; David Silverman
Species, Date, Time and Location Information
Species:
Worm-eating Warbler
First Date/Time:
8/11/2010
Last Date/Time:
Duration (total time in view):
30 minutes
County:
Pueblo
Specific Location:
SW corner Zorn Rd. & Boulder Ave.
Number:
1
Age:
Unknown
Sex:
Unknown
Plumage:
Other/Unknown
Habitat
Weedy wood lot bordered by dense stands of scrub oak, crabapple and narrowleaf cottonwoods.
Viewing Conditions
Optics:
10x40 Zeiss binocular
Distance:
100 feet estimated
Light:
Good-clear skies, bird was SW of observer
Description of the Bird
A chunky pot-bellied warbler with short squarish tail, this bird was similar in size to nearby Macgillivray's Warbler
This bird had no streaks, mottling, nor wing bars, except for bold thick blackish crown stripes and narrower post ocular stripe, with much paler light beige stripes between dark crown stripes.
Upperparts were uniform pale greenish olive. Underparts were light beige melding to a brighter buff on the breast.
Bill was narrow, sharply tipped but fairly long for a warbler, and dark colored. Legs were flesh colored, but I did not see feet well. Eye was dark with no noticeably prominent eyering.
Behaviors: Bird foraged near bottom of narrowleaf cottonwood among small bunches of dead leaves.
Call: None
Plumage: adult
Similar Species Discussion
Larger Swainson's Warbler is similar in shape to Worm-eating Warbler(WeWa) but has rufous unstriped crown and browner, not greenish olive, upperparts. Swainson's also has plain off-white breast lacking warm buff of WeWa.
Chunky oporornis warblers have mostly yellow underparts and lack crown stripes. WeWa does not show noticeable yellow colors.
Black & White Warbler has striped crown but heavily mottled upperparts, wingbars, and streaked underparts. WeWa shows no prominent mottling, wingbars, nor streaks.
Resources Used
Sibley GUIDE TO BIRDS(2000)
Previous Experience
I've seen Swainson's Warblers twice, a few CT Warblers, and many other oporornis and Black&White Warblers.
Notes
Notes made AFTER observation
Additional Information
Materials Available
No files uploaded.
Date Documentation Submitted
8/26/2010 10:50:00 AM