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Kentucky Warbler

Overview
ID Info
Life History
Maps
Sounds

Kentucky Warbler

Overview
ID info
Life History
Maps
Sounds

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Adult male
Female
Adult male

Kentucky Warbler by Ryan Schain | Macaulay Library

Warblers

Kentucky WarblerGeothlypis formosa

ORDER: Passeriformes
FAMILY: Parulidae

HabitatForests
FoodInsects
NestingGround
BehaviorGround Forager
ConservationDeclining

Basic Description

A bird of the deciduous forests of the southeastern United States, the Kentucky Warbler's loud song can be heard far more frequently than the brightly-colored bird can be seen. It stays near the ground and the lower levels of the forest, and nests on the ground.

image of range map for Kentucky Warbler

Range map provided by Birds of the WorldExplore Maps

Other Names

Reinita de Kentucky (Spanish)
Paruline du Kentucky (French)

Cool Facts
- Unlike most songbirds, a male Kentucky Warbler appears to sing only one song type. He will sing the same one throughout his life. Although counter-singing males do not match each other's song types the way many bird species do, a male may match the pitch of a competitor's song.
- The oldest recorded Kentucky Warbler was a female and at least 6 years, 11 months old when she was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in Maryland.

Compare with Similar Species

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Hooded WarblerAdult male

Hooded WarblerFemale/immature

Canada WarblerAdult male

Canada WarblerAdult female/immature male

Common YellowthroatAdult male

Common YellowthroatFemale

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Species in This Family

New World Warblers(Order: Passeriformes, Family:Parulidae)

Worm-eating Warbler

Louisiana Waterthrush

Northern Waterthrush

Golden-winged Warbler

Blue-winged Warbler

Black-and-white Warbler

Prothonotary Warbler

Swainson's Warbler

Tennessee Warbler

Orange-crowned Warbler

Nashville Warbler

Virginia's Warbler

Connecticut Warbler

MacGillivray's Warbler

Mourning Warbler

Kentucky Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

American Redstart

Kirtland's Warbler

Cape May Warbler

Cerulean Warbler

Northern Parula

Magnolia Warbler

Bay-breasted Warbler

Blackburnian Warbler

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Blackpoll Warbler

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow-throated Warbler

Prairie Warbler

Grace's Warbler

Black-throated Gray Warbler

Townsend's Warbler

Golden-cheeked Warbler

Black-throated Green Warbler

Wilson's Warbler

Red-faced Warbler

Painted Redstart

Browse Species in This Family

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