The fan-tailed warbler is a New World warbler in the genus Basileuterus that lives along the Pacific slope from northern Mexico to Nicaragua. Vagrant records exist for Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. It is yellow on its throat and underparts with a tawny wash on its chest. The head is gray with a black-framed yellow crown and white around the eyes. The undertail coverlets are white. It is 5.8-6.3 in (14.5–16 cm) long and has a pleasant, upslurred song. Fan-tailed warblers live in and at the edge of evergreen and semideciduous forest, especially near ravines. They eat insects, and are seen hopping around on either the forest floor or close to it. They are found alone or in pairs.
Region
Pacific slope of Mexico to Nicaragua
Typical Environment
Occurs along the Pacific slope from northern Mexico south through Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras to Nicaragua. It favors humid and semi-humid evergreen and semi-deciduous forests, especially shaded ravines and riparian thickets. The species also uses second-growth, forest edges, and shaded coffee plantations where dense understory is present. It keeps near the ground or low understory and is most frequently detected by its song rather than by sight.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This skulking warbler often cocks and fans its tail, flashing its white undertail coverts—behavior that gives the species its name. Though largely a resident of the Pacific slope from Mexico to Nicaragua, it occasionally strays into the southwestern United States. It forages close to the ground in shaded ravines and is most often seen alone or in pairs. Its song is a pleasant, upslurred series of whistles.
Temperament
skulking but active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with low, quick dashes
Social Behavior
Typically found alone or in pairs, maintaining small territories in ravines and dense understory. Pairs forage close together and communicate with soft chips. Nests are placed low, often near the ground in dense cover. Occasionally joins mixed-species flocks in the understory.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A pleasant, upslurred series of clear whistles, often delivered from low perches in shaded ravines. Calls are thin, sharp chips used to keep contact while foraging close to the ground.
