Wilson's Warbler

Wilsonia pusilla

A small, very active warbler of thickets and woodland edges, Wilson's Warblers are often more readily identified by birders due to their habit of foraging quite low in forest vegetation.  They can be found nearly anywhere in the continental United States during their spring migration, but are generally much more common in the West than in the East.  They tend to have increasingly brilliant plumage the as you move westward in the continent.

Habitat: Prefers low, shrubby undergrowth, such as that along streams, rivers and ponds, second-growth forest, and forest understory.  Avoids dense unbroken forest, and is normally found along forest and woodland edges.

Diet: Primarily insects and spiders, but occasionally berries.  

Behavior: Usually forages quite low in vegetation.  Will also forage along the ground, or fly out from a low perch to catch insects in mid-air.

Breeding: Non-breeder in South Dakota.

Song: Rapid series of 10 to 15 short whistled notes, with the last few notes generally lower and faster.

Migration: Summers in Canada and the western United States.  Winters on the Gulf Coast, Mexico, and points south.

Similar Species: Hooded Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler

Status: Stable in some locations, but has been on the decline in the west, probably due to loss of riparian habitat.

Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Wilson's Warbler

2) Cornell Lab of Ornithology - Wilson's Warbler

3) eNature.com: Wilson's Warbler

Photo Information: May 19th, 2006 - Minnehaha County, South Dakota - Terry Sohl

Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Wilson's Warbler photos.