Nashville Warbler

Vermivora ruficapilla

Nashville Warblers are named for the location at which the species was first documented, even though it is just a migrant through the Nashville area.  They are more visible than many migrating warblers, as they generally forage rather low in brush or small trees.  Two distinct breeding populations exist, one in the Pacific Northwest, and one in the upper Midwest, the Northeast, and southeastern Canada.  Western populations used to be called another species, the "Calaveras Warbler".

Habitat: Breeds in a wide variety of habitats, including deciduous, coniferous or mixed forest, as well as thickets and brushy fields.

Diet: Almost exclusively insects. 

Behavior: Primarily moves about low in the vegetation, gleaning insects from flowers and leaves.  Nesting occurs on the ground.

Nesting: Non-breeder in South Dakota

Song: Nashville Warbler Song

Migration: Summers throughout the Great Lakes region, the northeastern U.S., parts of the northwestern U.S., and south-central and southeast Canada.  Winters in Mexico and Central America.

Similar Species: Connecticut Warbler, Virginia's Warbler

Conservation Status: Generally stable.

Further Information: 1) Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Nashville Warbler

2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Nashville Warbler"

3) eNature.com: Nashville Warbler

Photo Information: September 2008 - Minnehaha County, South Dakota - Terry Sohl

Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Nashville Warbler photos.