Olive Warbler

It is always interesting - to me - to see what countries are visiting our blog. So far today we have visitors from: United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Russia, Ukraine, China, Romania, Germany, Portugal,  Spain, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, and Philippines. 15 countries on 5 continents -- so far today. We'll see if we get Africa today.

Continuing to share my warbler photos along with information about each species, from my latest book: "Warblers of Arizona, A Guide to Finding and Photographing Warblers in Southern Arizona." 

If you are interested in purchasing it, please email me at exclusivelywildlifephotos.com or info@azuregate.com.

Olive Warbler

Common Name: Olive Warbler

Scientific Name: Peucedramus taeniatus

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Conservation Status: Least Concern, probably stable in its range, not well studied though with population estimates ranging from 500,000 to 5 million (obviously difficult to estimate due to habitat

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Size: 5.25 inches

Description: butterscotch color head, chin, throat, and breast; dark black mask; gray back with two white wing bars; gray unstreaked belly; white vent; medium long thin bill; deeply notched tail; white undertail; black legs and feet

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Male/Female: the hood in females is more yellow than butterscotch and the mask not nearly as dark; female crown and nape are olive color; (the lower right photo on the opposite page is a female, the others are males)

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Range: Southern Arizona to Nicaragua

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Migration: considered non-migratory, though in Arizona may move “down-slope” during the winter, some may move south into Mexico

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Season for Arizona: year round

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Habitat: altitudes of 7,000 feet or more, mostly in upper levels of Ponderosa Pine trees

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Community Behavior: solitary or mixed warbler flocks

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Feeding Behavior: creeps over branches gleaning insects primarily from pine needle clusters

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Diet: mostly insects, but again not well known

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Nesting Behavior: breeding and nesting behavior not well known due to its perference to tops of pines at high altitudes; nests usually 30-70 feet off the ground and 15-20 feet out from the trunk; 3-4 bluish-white eggs with olive and brown marks at the ends

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Where to Find in Southern Arizona: Mount Lemmon, specifically Alder and Inspiration Point picnic sites, Incinerator Ridge, Bear Wallow, Rose Canyon, Bear Canyon

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Comments: originally clasified as a New World Warbler but now given its own family; named "Olive Warbler" though no olive color on male; what makes it unique and beautiful is its bright "butterscotch" hood with black mask