Golden-crowned Warbler

Overview

The golden-crowned warbler (Basileuterus culicivorus) is a small insectivorous bird in the New World warbler family Parulidae. It has a large geographic range that extends from northeastern Mexico south to northern Argentina.

Identification

• 12.0–13.5 cm in overall length with grey-green upperparts and bright yellow underparts.
• Distinctive head pattern featuring a black-bordered yellow crown stripe, a yellow or white supercilium, and a black eyestripe.
• Song described as a high thin 'pit-seet-seet-seet-seet' and call is a sharp 'tsip'.
• Immature birds appear duller, browner, and lack the head pattern other than the eyestripe.

Habitat

Breeds from Mexico and south through Central America to northeastern Argentina and Uruguay, and on Trinidad. It is mainly a species of lowland forests.

Diet

Feeds on arthropods, especially insects and spiders. Parent birds will feign injury to distract potential nest predators.

Did you know?

The specific epithet combines the Latin words culex, culicis meaning 'midge' and -vorus meaning 'eating'.