Orange-crowned Warbler    Vermivora celata

Migratory Status: Neotropical migrant

PIF Population Estimate: 76 000 000

Percent of western hemisphere population breeding in boreal forest: 47%

BAM Effective Detection Radius (m) : 75.37

PIF Maximum Detection Distance (m) : 125

Canadian BBS Population trend: -1.1 (-2.1 to -0.1)

Life History

The Orange-crowned Warbler may be one of the dullest and least distinctly plumaged wood warbler in North America. Of the four known subspecies, the celata subspecies, whose breeding range corresponds roughly with the boreal forest, is the dullest and grayest form. The adult male is an overall drab-olive appearance, with slightly brighter yellow undertail coverts and slender, pointed bill. The song of the Orange-crowned Warbler is often described as a two part trill, often with weaker or lower pitched notes in the second part.

The breeding range for celata extends over most of the boreal forest, from western and northern Alaska, south to central Alberta and east to eastern Labrador. The wintering range includes the southeastern United States, Mexico, and Central America. Most individuals of this subspecies winter north of Costa Rica.

The Orange-crowned Warbler is primarily insectivorous during the breeding season, and often consumes fruit and berries in the non-breeding season. The species has also been documented feeding at sap wells created by sapsuckers (Sphyrapicus spp.) and is often attracted to suet feeders during the winter.

Reference(s)

Sogge, M. K., W. M. Gilbert, and C. V. Riper III. 1994. Orange-crowned Warbler (Vermivora celata), The Birds of North America, No. 101. A. Poole and F. Gill, eds. The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, and The American Ornithologists's Union, Washington, D.C.