Townsend's Warbler (Setophaga townsendi)

Townsend's Warblers are primarily birds of the cool coniferous forests of the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada, but can occasionally be found as migrants in the Black Hills of South Dakota. They are quite similar to the Black-throated Green Warbler, a warbler found in the eastern part of the continent.

Habitat

The Townsend's Warbler inhabits mature coniferous and mixed forests, especially spruce, fir, hemlock, and pine forests of western North America during the breeding season. During migration and winter it also frequents woodland edges, coastal forests, parks, riparian corridors, and shrubby habitats where it actively forages high in trees.

Diet

The Townsend's Warbler feeds mainly on insects and spiders gathered from conifer needles, leaves, and branches in forest canopies. Its diet includes caterpillars, beetles, flies, aphids, and other small arthropods, with nectar and small berries occasionally eaten during migration and winter.

Behavior

Usually forages high in the forest canopy, moving through the foliage in search of insects. They will also sometimes hover to glean insects from foliage, or will fly out from a perch to catch insects in mid-air. Note in December in San Francisco, I also found very good numbers of Townsend's Warblers foraging quite low in bushes and shrubs, and sometimes even on the ground.

Breeding

Non-breeder in South Dakota. In range, the Townsend's Warbler nests in mature conifer forests, usually placing its nest high on a horizontal branch close to the trunk of a spruce, fir, or pine tree. The female builds a small cup nest of grasses, bark strips, mosses, and lichens lined with softer plant fibers and hair. Typical clutches contain 3–5 eggs, and the nest is often well concealed among dense needles and branches.

Song

The Townsend's Warbler sings a rapid series of high buzzy notes that often end in a sharper accented phrase, sounding somewhat harsh and mechanical. Calls include thin tseet notes and sharp chips commonly heard while the bird forages actively through conifer trees.

Migration

Neotropical migrant. Summers along in forests of the Pacific Northwest, western Canada, and southern Alaska. Primarily winters in Mexico and Central America, but some can be found near the U.S. Pacific coast.

Interactive eBird Map

Click here to access an interactive eBird map of Townsend's Warbler sightings

Similar Species

Black-throated Green Warbler, Hermit Warbler. The Townsend's Warbler shows bold black streaking on the sides, a dark cheek patch, and a strongly patterned yellow-and-black face. Black-throated Green Warbler has a greener back, less dramatic facial pattern, and usually weaker side streaking, while Hermit Warbler has a cleaner yellow head and plain white underparts with little or no streaking on the sides.

Conservation Status

The Townsend's Warbler is generally considered a species of low conservation concern, with populations remaining fairly stable across much of its western forest range. However, logging, habitat fragmentation, and large wildfires in mature conifer forests may negatively affect some regional populations. The IUCN considers Townsend's Warbler to be a species of Least concern.

Townsend's Warbler