Kentucky Warbler (Geothlypis formosa) | Photos, Calls and ID

LCLeast ConcernInvertebrates

ForestCup nestTiny · 14 g

What the Kentucky Warbler sounds like

Sonogram of the Kentucky Warbler: time runs left to right, pitch bottom to top, and the brighter the mark the louder the sound.

Recorded by steve · Song · Durham, Orange County, North Carolina, United States · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto

Recorded by Oliver Komar · Call · El Zamorano, San Antonio de Oriente, Departamento de Francisco Morazán, Honduras · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto

ID tip

Adult Kentucky warblers are mostly an olive-green in color on their back and nape, and a brilliant yellow below from their throat to their belly. They have a small tinge of black on their crown, and a large black mask with a yellow pattern that runs from the beak and encircles the eyes, resembling a pair of spectacles. Female Kentucky warblers have slightly less black on the sides of their head, and immature birds may have almost no black at all. Measurements: Length: 5.1 in (13 cm) Weight: 0.5–0.5 oz (13–14 g) Wingspan: 7.9–8.7 in (20–22 cm)

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

When to see the Kentucky Warbler

One bar for each month. Filled bars are the 5 months with records; pale bars are months with none. The wide bar is May, the month with the most records.

Where to see the Kentucky Warbler

Regular rangeRare visitor

The map shades 24 countries with regular records, and 3 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.

Recorded as a rare visitor in St. Martin, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Pierre & Miquelon.

About the Kentucky Warbler

The Kentucky warbler is a small species of New World warbler. It is a sluggish and heavy warbler with a short tail, preferring to spend most of its time on or near the ground, except when singing.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Easily confused with

Mourning WarblerGeothlypis philadelphiaMourning warblers are small songbird with yellow underparts, olive-green upperparts, a thin pointed bill and pink legs.

MacGillivray's WarblerGeothlypis tolmieiMacGillivray's warbler is 10 to 15 cm (3.9 to 5.9 in) long, weighs 9 to 13 g (0.32 to 0.46 oz), and has a wingspan of 19 cm (7.5 in).

Southern YellowthroatGeothlypis velataThe southern yellowthroat is 13 to 14.3 cm (5.1 to 5.6 in) long and weighs 11 to 17 g (0.39 to 0.60 oz).

Side by side: Common Yellowthroat vs Kentucky Warbler · Kentucky Warbler vs MacGillivray's Warbler · Kentucky Warbler vs Mourning Warbler · Kentucky Warbler vs Worm-eating Warbler · Kentucky Warbler vs Southern Yellowthroat

Learn the Kentucky Warbler in the BeakBrain App

Photo and call practice. Coming soon to iPhone and Android.

Play today's Daily Bird

Every photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.