Virginia's Warbler Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesVirginia's Warbler
Adult
A small gray warbler with a white eyering and yellow highlights under the tail and on the chest.
© Timo Mitzen / Macaulay LibraryColorado, May 15, 2020Adult/immature
Virginia's Warblers have a thin, pointy bill and a longer, thinner tail than other warblers. Note the yellow undertail feathers, white eyering, and overall gray color.
© Jason Vassallo / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, September 29, 2019Adult
Virginia's Warblers frequently wag their tail up and down, a behavior that can help with identification.
© Larry Arbanas / Macaulay LibraryArizona, May 16, 2006Adult/immature
Virginia's Warblers are grayish overall with pale yellow highlights under the tail. The amount of yellow on the chest varies and can be absent altogether.
© Tom Crabtree / Macaulay LibraryOregon, November 24, 2017Adult
Virginia's Warblers frequently pump their tail up and down while foraging.
© Justyn Stahl / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, September 06, 2016Adult
Found in moist and scrubby drainages in pinyon-juniper and oak woodlands.
© Larry Arbanas / Macaulay LibraryArizona, May 01, 2006Similar SpeciesNashville Warbler
Female/immature
Female/immature Nashville Warblers have entirely yellow underparts unlike the gray-bellied Virginia's Warbler.
Similar SpeciesColima Warbler
Adult
Colima Warblers have brown washed sides whereas Virginia's Warblers have gray sides. The undertail feathers on Colima Warblers are more of an orangish color rather than the pale yellow on Virginia's.
© Dick Dionne / Macaulay LibraryTexas, May 06, 2013Similar SpeciesLucy's Warbler
Adult female
Female Lucy's Warblers don't have yellow under the tail like Virginia's Warblers. Lucy's Warblers also have paler underparts than Virginia's Warblers.
© Chris Rohrer 🦜 / Macaulay LibraryArizona, March 17, 2016Similar SpeciesAmerican Redstart
Female
Female American Redstarts have yellow patches on the tail and wings that Virginia's Warblers lack.
© Jeremiah Trimble / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, October 22, 2016Similar SpeciesCommon Yellowthroat
Female
Female Common Yellowthroats are browner above than the gray-backed Virginia's Warblers. They also have a thinner eyering and a larger bill than Virginia's Warblers.
© Davey Walters / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, August 18, 2016Search species and articles
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