Bird Guide

Swainson's Warbler vs Three-striped Warbler

Swainson's Warbler (Limnothlypis swainsonii)

Swainson's Warbler

Limnothlypis swainsonii

Small19 gShrubland

Swainson's warblers are a small and rather undistinguished songbird, though they are fairly large for a New World warbler. Adults grow to 12.5–16 cm (4.9–6.3 in) in length and 11–20.5 g (0.39–0.72 oz) in weight. The wingspan averages 23 cm (9.1 in). They are a plain olive-brown above and pale yellow-white below. They have a whitish eyebrow stripe that runs above their eye, and the top of their head is a rusty brown. Unlike most other New World warblers that are mostly dimorphic, there is no difference in appearance between a male or female Swainson's warbler.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Jody Shugart · CC BY 4.0
Three-striped Warbler (Basileuterus tristriatus)

Three-striped Warbler

Basileuterus tristriatus

Tiny12 gForest

The three-striped warbler measures 13 cm (5.1 in) in length. It is mostly olive-brown with a buffy belly and underparts. It has distinct black and white striping on the head and a dark cheek. Male and female three-striped warblers have similar plumages. Their song is a rapid series of squeaky chirps.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Three-striped Warbler
Recorded by Niels Krabbe · Song · Zamora-Chinchipe: Filo de Chumbiriatza, tepui 4.5 km SW Las Orchideas, above "Cabañas Yankuam", Nangaritza Valley, Ecuador · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Alina Martin · CC BY 4.0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Swainson's Warbler and Three-striped Warbler.