Warbler Guy, why is the Olive Warbler in its own family and not in the Parulidae with all the other New World wood-warbler species?

Primarily because of three reasons (John in Cedar Rapids): 1) The shape of a bone in this species’ skull (the basihyal bone); 2) the arrangement of muscles in the legs; and 3) mitochondrial DNA analysis of this species’ blood indicate its status is far removed from New World wood-warblers (though in the past it was classified with the Parulidae).

In fact, some studies have placed the Olive Warbler in the finch clade (i.e., “group”) that has included finches, cardinals and Hawaiian honeycreeper species.

Given the aforementioned characteristics, the Olive Warbler is
It is the only member of the genus Peucedramus and the only member in the family Peucedramidae.

It breeds from southern Arizona and New Mexico, USA, south through Mexico to Nicaragua.

Another interesting fact: It is the only bird family endemic to North America (including Central America).

Recent DNA studies suggest the phylogenetic (or so-called evolution) of the Olive Warbler split early from the other related passerines, and, indeed, prior to the differentiation of the entire New World warbler/American sparrow/Icterid group.

What does the Olive Warbler eat? As an insectivore, it favors coniferous forest. Some populations are non-migratory, though most New Mexican breeding birds leave the state from November to late February.

Warbler Guy, where are the most abundant numbers of different wood-warblers found?

Jess (in Chicago), the highest species numbers of breeding wood-warblers are found in the Appalachian, Canadian maritime, and northern Great Lakes regions.

During the non-breeding season, the most common places to find wood-warblers are Mexico, Central America, West Indies, and north to central South America. The farthest known reaches of wintering wood-warblers occurs in Brazil and northern Chile.

Warbler Guy, which warblers are on the U.S. WatchList?

Frederick (in Naples, FL), here's the four species on the list (compiled via the National Audubon Society, 2007):

Bachman’s Warbler (Endangered)
Golden-winged Warbler
Golden-cheeked Warbler (Endangered)
Kirtland’s Warbler (Endangered)

The U.S. WatchList reflects a comprehensive analysis of all the bird species in the United States, and identifies those in greatest need of immediate conserva- tion attention. The list builds on data from Partners in Flight (PIF), the latest research from the bird conservation community, and data from the Christmas Bird Count and Breeding Bird Survey.

Identifying and spotlighting the species at greatest risk is the first step in building the public policies, funding support, conservation initiatives, and public commitment needed to save them. The U.S. WatchList lays the groundwork for an “industry stan- dard” to guide conservation priorities among conservation organizations and government agencies.

Fab Five Warbler Quiz #6

Can you name each of the five warblers? (A helpful hint: not all the warblers in these photos are males.)

Warbler Guy, where are warbler photos best found on the Web? Where may I compare and contrast warbler images online?

Jason (in Buffalo), I recommend the web site operated by Giff Beaton in Georgia.

Giff's "Warblers" site is found at:

http://www.giffbeaton.com/warblers.htm

Recent systematic name changes in the warbler family are also present in the way Giff organizes his photos, so
information is updated according to the latest American Ornithological Union (AOU) decisions.

His site also features links to bird-related sites; information and photos related to dragonflies and insects; and links to other nature topics (See: http://www.giffbeaton.com/index.html)

And Then There Was One: Connecticut Warbler Now Widow-Widower

Given the American Ornithological Union's (AOU) recent scientific name changes for wood-warblers (noted in the 9/28/11 article, immediately below),
all of the Oporornis genus members are now gone.

Except one.

The Connecticut Warbler remains as the lone Oporornis representative. (Kentucky, Mourning, MacGilliviray's were subsumed into the Geothylpsis genus that formerly in N. America merely consisted of the Common Yellowthroat.)

During the nesting season, the often stealth, ground-dwelling Connecticut Warbler is frequently confidently ID'ed by savvy birders who know it walks (along with only four other N. American wood-warbler species). The large eye ring is another prominent feature. Notice how the throat color pattern differs from the look-alike Nashville Warbler, which features yellow throughout the throat (in contrast to the gray throat/chin sheen in Connecticut).

Most Connecticut individuals have already left the USA as obligate neotropical migrators that will spend the non-breeding season amid the Amazon River area in South America.

Next spring, this species is one of the last wood-warblers to return to breeding rounds and, thus, is considered
a late migrant in comparison to other earlier arriving USA wood-warbler species.

What are the latest bird name changes or warbler name changes? When did the American Ornithological Union (AOU) approve these names?

Yes, Aaron (in Akron, OH), the 52nd AOU Checklist Supplement approved and published in 2011 lists the following wood-warbler changes to species names (INCLUDING the scientific name change for the wood-warbler shown in the nearby photo, the common name of which is the answer for the one-click quiz on the left side. As a hint, we're still playing taps on our bugle, given the Wilsonia genus is now R.I.P., subsumed into the genus occupied by the Red-faced Warbler (Cardellina genus).):

• Mourning Warbler Geothlypis philadelphia
formerly Oporornis philadelphia
• MacGillivray’s Warbler Geothlypis tolmiei
formerly Oporornis tolmiei
• Kentucky Warbler Geothlypis formosa
formerly Oporornis formosus [note change in spelling of species name]
• Hooded Warbler Setophaga citrina
formerly Wilsonia citrina
• Kirtland’s Warbler Setophaga kirtlandii
formerly Dendroica kirtlandii
• Cape May Warbler Setophaga tigrina
formerly Dendroica tigrina
• Cerulean Warbler Setophaga cerulea
formerly Dendroica cerulea
• Northern Parula Setophaga americana
formerly Parula americana
• Tropical Parula Setophaga pitiayumi
formerly Parula pitiayumi
• Magnolia Warbler Setophaga magnolia
formerly Dendroica magnolia
• Bay-breasted Warbler Setophaga castanea
formerly Dendroica castanea
• Blackburnian Warbler Setophaga fusca
formerly Dendroica fusca
• Yellow Warbler Setophaga petechia
formerly Dendroica petechia
• Chestnut-sided Warbler Setophaga pensylvanica
formerly Dendroica pensylvanica
• Blackpoll Warbler Setophaga striata
formerly Dendroica striata
• Black-throated Blue Warbler Setophaga caerulescens
formerly Dendroica caerulescens
• Palm Warbler Setophaga palmarum
formerly Dendroica palmarum
• Pine Warbler Setophaga pinus
formerly Dendroica pinus
• Yellow-rumped Warbler Setophaga coronata
formerly Dendroica coronata
• Yellow-throated Warbler Setophaga dominica
formerly Dendroica dominica
• Prairie Warbler Setophaga discolor
formerly Dendroica discolor
• Grace’s Warbler Setophaga graciae
formerly Dendroica graciae
• Black-throated Gray Warbler Setophaga nigrescens
formerly Dendroica nigrescens
• Townsend’s Warbler Setophaga townsendi
formerly Dendroica townsendi
• Hermit Warbler Setophaga occidentalis
formerly Dendroica occidentalis
• Golden-cheeked Warbler Setophaga chrysoparia
formerly Dendroica chrysoparia
• Black-throated Green Warbler Setophaga virens
formerly Dendroica virens
• Fan-tailed Warbler Basileuterus lachrymosus
formerly Euthlypis lachrymosa [note change in spelling of species name]
• Canada Warbler Cardellina canadensis
formerly Wilsonia canadensis
• Wilson’s Warbler Cardellina pusilla
formerly Wilsonia pusilla

In addition, see the following web site written by David Sibley to learn more about wood-warbler name changes and the rationale for the new taxonomy that the American Ornithological Union recently approved:

http://www.sibleyguides.com/2011/06/the-new-wood-warbler-taxonomy/