Hooded Warbler Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesHooded Warbler
Adult male
Adult males have a bright yellow face surrounded by a black hood and throat. They are olive above and yellow below. Often fans tail to show white outer tail feathers.
© Evan Lipton / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, April 25, 2014Adult female
Some adult females show a partial black crown spotted with yellow. Entirely yellow below except for white undertail feathers. Adult females vary considerably in the extent of black on the head and neck, from little or no black to a complete male-like hood. In all plumages, entirely yellow below.
© Luke Seitz / Macaulay LibraryMaine, October 03, 2011Adult male
Males sing an emphatic ringing weeta-weeta-weet-tee-o.
© Larry Arbanas / Macaulay LibraryTexasImmature female
Immature females during their first year either lack black on the head and neck or have only traces of black framing the yellow face; entirely yellow below. The underside of the tail feathers are white; the outer corners flash white when fanned.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryNew York, September 17, 2011Adult female
Many adult females have a near-complete hood, but it is usually neither as black nor as extensive as it is in males.
© Ryan Schain / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, May 25, 2013Female/immature
Hops quickly on the ground and through the shrub layer often flicking its tail.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 27, 1997Adult male
Often found in the understory of forests with shrubby understory. Adult males have a bright yellow face and a beady black eye surrounded by a black hood and throat.
© Kevin Couture / Macaulay LibraryMaine, April 28, 2017Adult male
Adult males have a bright yellow face surrounded by black hood and throat. Olive above and yellow below. Often fans tail to show white outer tail feathers.
© Matthew Sabourin / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, May 31, 2016Adult male
Males sing throughout the day, but tend to sing more both early and late in the day.
© Benjamin Clock / Macaulay LibraryWest Virginia, May 29, 2013Adult male
Breeds in hardwood forests with a shrubby understory in the eastern United States and a small area in southern Canada.
© Griffin O'Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, May 03, 2017Adult male
Spends much of its time in the understory flitting between shrubs and flicking its tail to reveal white outer tail feathers.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 27, 1997Similar SpeciesKentucky Warbler
Adult male
Kentucky Warblers lack the hooded look of male Hooded Warblers and have more facial markings than female Hooded Warblers.
© Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren / Macaulay LibraryMissouri, April 30, 2016Similar SpeciesKentucky Warbler
Female
Female Kentucky Warblers have more markings on the face than female Hooded Warblers.
© Matthew Grube / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, May 21, 2016Similar SpeciesNorthern Yellow Warbler
Adult female
Northern Yellow Warblers have brighter yellow backs than Hooded Warblers. No white tail flashes as in Hooded Warblers.
© Terry Boswell / Macaulay LibraryNova Scotia, June 04, 2017Similar SpeciesWilson's Warbler
Adult male
Wilson's Warblers are smaller than Hooded Warblers without a strong distinction between the face and the back like female Hooded Warblers. Lacks white tail flashes.
© Sue Orwig / Macaulay LibraryTexas, January 04, 2017Similar SpeciesWilson's Warbler
Female/immature
Female/immature Wilson's Warblers are smaller than Hooded Warblers without a strong distinction between the face and the back like female Hooded Warblers. Lacks white tail flashes.
© Shawn Billerman / Macaulay LibraryWyoming, September 10, 2013Similar SpeciesCommon Yellowthroat
Adult male
Male Common Yellowthroats have a black mask and yellow throat while male Hooded Warblers have a black hood and black throat.
© Ryan Schain / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, June 08, 2013Similar SpeciesCommon Yellowthroat
Female
Female Common Yellowthroats only have yellow on the throat and undertail coverts while female Hooded Warblers have entirely yellow bellies.
© Davey Walters / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, August 18, 2016Search species and articles
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