Chestnut-sided Warbler

The Chestnut-sided Warbler is a very active warbler that is often seen foraging quite low in the foliage compared to many warbler species. Their "down-to-earth" behavior is a trait learned from their breeding grounds, where they prefer dense shrubby second-growth forest that occurs after a disturbance event. They are one species that has likely benefited from man's alteration of the North American landscape, as they prefer the type of second-growth shrubby forest that is often found after forest clear-cuts regenerate.  

Habitat:

Chestnut-sided Warblers are birds of dense thickets and shrubs, particularly areas of second-growth forest following a disturbance such as a fire, storm event, or clear-cutting. They can also be found in low forest undergrowth along the edges of denser forested areas. They prefer similar habitats when migrating through South Dakota.

Diet:

The diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. They will also sometimes feed on fruits and berries, particularly on their tropical wintering grounds.

Behavior:

Chestnut-sided Warblers generally forage at low to mid levels in forest and shrubs, hopping from branch to branch, and occasionally hovering or flying out to catch flying insects.

Breeding:

Non-breeder in South Dakota. On their breeding grounds, Chestnut-sided Warblers nest in bushes and low trees, usually amongst dense foliage in the crook of a branch, within 5 feet from the ground. The female builds the nest, building an outer main layer of bark, grasses, and roots, and lined with finer grasses, hair, and spider webs. The female lays between 3 and 5 eggs, and she alone incubates them. The young hatch after about 12 days, and fledge from the nest about 12 to 14 days after hatching.

Song:

The song of a Chestnut-sided Warbler is a cheery musical wheet-wheet-wheet-wheet-you. The typical call is a sweet cheep.

• Click here to hear the song of a Chestnut-sided Warbler¹
• Click here to hear an alternative song of a Chestnut-sided Warbler²
• Click here to hear the call of a Chestnut-sided Warbler³

Migration:

Neotropical migrant, summering in southern Canada and in the northern and southern U.S.  Winters in Central and South America. In South Dakota they're an uncommon migrant in the eastern part of the state, and are a much rarer migrant in the west.

Interactive eBird Map:

Click for access to an interactive eBird map of Chestnut-sided Warbler sightings

Similar Species:

Chestnut-sided Warbler males have a rather unique plumage pattern, so there's not too many species they're likely to be confused with. Female Chestnut-sided Warblers are somewhat plainer in breeding plumage, and quite a bit plainer in non-breeding plumage, and could potentially cause more identification challenges. Here are the species most likely to be confused with a Chestnut-sided Warbler:

• Bay-breasted Warbler - In breeding plumage both male Bay-breasted and Chestnut-sided Warblers have a chestnut-color patch on their flanks. However, on a Bay-breasted Warbler male, the chestnut color continues upward across the throat, and there's also a chestnut-colored patch on the top of their head. In contrast, Chestnut-sided Warbler males have a white throat and a yellowish crown. Female Chestnut-sided Warblers share the chestnut-flanks and yellow crown of the male, but it's less extensive and bright. Non-breeding female Bay-breasted and Chestnut-sided Warblers each have a yellowish wash on the crown and upper back, but it's brighter on a Chestnut-sided, and the Chestnut-sided female has a light eye-ring that's lacking from the female Bay-breasted.
• Pine Warbler - Pine Warblers aren't going to cause any identification issues with a male Chestnut-sided Warblers, but females in non-breeding plumage could potentially be confused with them. Both have some yellow on the head and a light eye-ring. However, female Chestnut-sided Warblers are a light gray to white on their underparts, while both male and female Pine Warlbers have some yellow on the throat, flanks, and breast.

Bay-breasted Warbler	Bay-breasted Warbler	Pine Warbler	Pine Warbler

Conservation Status:

Chestnut-sided Warblers may be more common now than before settlement of the continent, because of the increased second-growth forest that results from clear-cutting.  They don't do as well in mature or undisturbed forest land. There's some evidence of decline in recent decades, but they are still found across a very broad geographic area, are common in parts of that range, and have overall healthy populations. The IUCN considers the Chestnut-sided Warbler to be a species of "Least Concern".

Further Information:

• Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Chestnut-sided Warbler
• WhatBird - Chestnut-sided Warbler
• Audubon Guide - Chestnut-sided Warbler

Photo Information:

May 22nd, 2011 - Beaver Creek Nature Area in Minnehaha County, South Dakota - Terry Sohl

Additional Photos:

Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Chestnut-sided Warbler photos.

Audio File Credits:

• ¹Christopher McPherson. Recorded in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire on June 8th, 2019. Original recording and information available from xeno-canto.
• ²Christopher McPherson. Recorded in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire on June 3rd, 2020. Original recording and information available from xeno-canto.
• ³Jerome Fischer. Recorded in Gamboa, Colon Province of Panama on January 29th, 2019. Original recording and information available from xeno-canto.

Click on the map below for a higher-resolution view

South Dakota Status: Uncommon migrant in the eastern half of the state, casual in the western part.  There are also a few summer records in the Black Hills.

Additional Chestnut-sided Warbler Photos
Click for a higher-resolution version of these photos