MacGillivray's Warbler

MacGillivray's Warbler is a close relative of the Mourning Warbler, generally taking it's ecological niche in the western part of the continent.  They can be locally abundant during migration through the western United States, especially in the Southwest U.S.  They often skulk low among dense thickets except during the breeding season, when males will often sing exuberantly from a high exposed perch.

Habitat:

During the summer breeding season, they prefer thickets and dense forest undergrowth, usually near clearings or forest edges, and along stream bottoms.  They can often be found in burned areas or short brushy second-growth forest.  They are also usually found in forest undergrowth during the winter in the tropics.

Diet:

Primarily feeds on insects, but will also take spiders and occasionally worms.  They also are known to feed at sapsucker drill wells.  

Behavior:

Forages in brush and forest undergrowth, typically close to the ground, looking for insects in the foliage.  Will also hop around on the ground in pursuit of insects.

Nesting:

June and July. The nest of a MacGillivray's Warbler is a small cup of grasses, leaves, bark, and weed stems, lined with finer grasses, hair, rootlets, and moss. The female lays between 3 and 5 eggs, and she alone incubates them. The young hatch after 11 to 14 days, with both parents helping to feed them. The young fledge from the nest about 10 days after hatching, with parents continuing to feed the fledglings for another 7 to 10 days.

Song:

Usually a 2-part song, with 3 to 5 short notes followed by 2 or 3 notes at a lower pitch.

¹Click here to hear the song of a MacGillivray's Warbler

²Click here to hear the call of a MacGillivray's Warbler

Migration:

Summers throughout much of the western United States and western Canada.  Winters in Mexico and Central America.

Interactive eBird map:

Click here to access an interactive eBird map of MacGillivray's Warbler sightings

Similar Species:

Similar in appearance to a pair of other "dark-hooded" Warbler species:

• Mourning Warbler - Range generally distinguishes Mourning Warblers from MacGillivray's Warblers, as MacGillivray's Warblers are birds of the western part of North America, while Mourning Warblers are primarily found in the East. In terms of appearance, they are very similar, but the Mourning Warbler lacks the white crescents around the eyes of a MacGillivray's Warbler.
• Connecticut Warbler - Another species primarily found in the eastern US during migration, and with a summer breeding range that generally doesn't overlap with MacGillivray's Warbler. In terms of appearance, note Connecticut Warbler has a complete eyering, compared to the split, two-part eye-ring of a MacGillivray's Warbler.

Conservation Status:

Populations have evidently declined slightly in recent decades, based on survey accounts such as the Breeding Bird Survey. However, MacGillivray's Warblers are still found across a broad geographic area, and are relatively common in parts of their normal range. The IUCN considers MacGillivray's Warbler to be a species of "Least Concern".

South Dakota Hotspot:

MacGillivray's Warblers breed in the Black Hills, and can often be found in the Spearfish Canyon area.

Further Information:

1) BirdWeb - MacGillivray's Warbler

2) WhatBird - MacGillivray's Warbler

3) Audubon Guide - MacGillivray's Warbler

Photo Information:

July 12th, 2019 - Hell's Canyon, Black Hills of South Dakota -- Terry Sohl

Audio File Credits:

¹Ed Pandolfino. Recorded in El Dorado County, California on July 9th, 2018. Original file and recording from xeno-canto.

²Richard E. Webster. Recorded in Sinaloa, Mexico on April 20th, 2019. Original file and recording from xeno-canto.

Click on the map below for a higher-resolution view

South Dakota Status: Uncommon summer resident in the Black Hills.  Rare migrant elsewhere in the far west, accidental in the rest of the state.

Additional MacGillivray's Warbler Photos
Click above for a page devoted to photos, or on images below for higher-resolution versions