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Kentucky Warbler

Geothlypis formosa ORDER: PASSERIFORMES FAMILY: PARULIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

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.

At a GlanceHelp

Measurements
Both Sexes
Length
5.1 in
13 cm
Wingspan
7.1–8.7 in
18–22 cm
Weight
0.4–0.5 oz
10–14 g
Other Names
  • Paruline du Kentucky (French)
  • Chipe patilludo (Spanish)

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.

Habitat


Forest
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Food


Insects
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Nesting

Nest Placement

Ground
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Behavior


Ground Forager
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Conservation

status via IUCN

Least Concern

Kentucky Warbler declined through much of its range between 1966 and 2014, and overall, numbers were down by about 36% during that time, according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey. Partners in Flight estimates a global breeding population of 2.8 million, with 100% spending part of the year in the U.S., and 22% in Mexico. The species rates a 14 out of 20 on the Continental Concern Score. Kentucky Warbler is a U.S.-Canada Stewardship species and is on the 2014 State of the Birds Watch List, which lists bird species that are at risk of becoming threatened or endangered without conservation action.

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Credits

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Range Map Help

Kentucky Warbler Range Map
View dynamic map of eBird sightings

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eBird Occurrence Maps, Kentucky Warbler

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bird image Blue-winged Warbler by Brian Sullivan

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