Lucy's Warbler

Overview

Lucy's warbler is the smallest species of New World warbler found in North America. This species, Leiothlypis luciae, is one of only two warblers to nest in cavities and is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Measures between 9 and 12 cm in length with a small, pointed bill.
• Described as rather undistinguished and perhaps the palest species in its family, featuring pale gray head and upperparts with whitish underparts.
• Possesses a white eyering and a diagnostic rufous rump present in both genders.
• Adult males display a small rusty patch on the crown, whereas juveniles have a tawny rump and buffy wingbars.

Habitat

Ranges across the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, inhabiting riparian mesquite and brushy country. This species can nest in the driest vegetated stretches of the Sonora Desert, representing possibly the driest habitat of any New World warbler.

Diet

These strictly insectivorous birds forage actively, consuming caterpillars, beetles, and leafhoppers. When capturing a caterpillar, they shake it vigorously to skin off the prickly hairs on the back before eating it.

Did you know?

This species nests in some of the densest aggregations of any warbler, with up to 12 pairs per hectare. When utilizing a woodpecker hole, the bird may fill the cavity with debris and place the nest on top to allow the small birds to see outside.