Townsend's Warbler Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesTownsend's Warbler
Adult male
Small songbird. Adult males have a black ear patch surrounded by yellow. Note thick white wingbars, black cap and throat, and yellow crescent below the eye.
© Matt Brady / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, September 13, 2010Female/immature
The black markings on females/immatures are paler and the throat is mostly yellow. Note dark ear patch surrounded by yellow and streaked sides.
© Evan Lipton / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, August 30, 2020Immature
The black markings on immatures are paler and the throat is yellow. Note dark ear patch surrounded by yellow and streaked sides.
© Rob Fowler / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, November 20, 2015Immature
The black markings on immatures are paler and the throat is yellow. Note dark ear patch surrounded by yellow and streaked sides.
© Donna Pomeroy / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, October 04, 2018Adult male
Adult males have a black ear patch surrounded by yellow. Note thick white wingbars, black cap and throat, and yellow crescent beneath the eye.
© Thomas Barbin / Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, May 18, 2017Adult female
The black markings on adult females are paler and the throat is mostly yellow (some have dark mottling on the throat). Note dark ear patch surrounded by yellow and streaked sides.
© Alice Sun / Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, May 18, 2017Adult male
Breeds in tall evergreen and mixed evergreen-deciduous forests.
© matthew sabatine / Macaulay LibraryMontana, May 26, 2017Similar SpeciesHermit Warbler
Adult male
Hermit Warblers have an unmarked yellow face and a white breast without the dark cheek patch and yellow breast of Townsend's Warbler.
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, April 25, 2004Similar SpeciesHermit Warbler
Female/immature
Hermit Warblers have an unmarked yellow face and a white breast. They lack the dark cheek patch and yellow breast of Townsend's Warbler.
© John van Dort / Macaulay LibraryFrancisco Morazán, October 09, 2016Similar SpeciesGolden-cheeked Warbler
Male
Golden-cheeked Warblers have a thinner black eyeline and white underparts unlike Townsend's Warbler. The two species' breeding ranges do not overlap.
© Randy Pinkston / Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 10, 2016Similar SpeciesGolden-cheeked Warbler
Female
Golden-cheeked Warblers have a thinner black eyeline and white underparts unlike Townsend's Warbler. The two species' breeding ranges do not overlap.
© David Hollie / Macaulay LibraryTexas, May 26, 2015Similar SpeciesBlack-throated Green Warbler
Adult male
Black-throated Green Warblers have less black on the face and an olive, not black, crown. Ranges do not overlap.
© Ryan Schain / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, May 07, 2012Similar SpeciesBlack-throated Green Warbler
Adult female
Female Black-throated Green Warblers have a white (not yellow) breast. Ranges do not overlap.
© Jeremiah Trimble / Macaulay LibraryMaine, May 29, 2017Search species and articles
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