The Kentucky warbler is a small species of New World warbler. It is a sluggish and heavy warbler with a short tail, preferring to spend most of its time on or near the ground, except when singing.
Region
Eastern United States and Central America
Typical Environment
Breeds in the eastern and south-central United States, favoring mature, moist deciduous forests with a dense shrub layer, ravines, and riparian thickets. During migration it passes through the southeastern U.S. and Gulf Coast. Winters from southern Mexico through Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama in lowland and foothill forests and second growth. Prefers shaded, humid understory with abundant leaf litter and low tangles where it forages near the ground.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Other
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This ground-loving warbler is surprisingly secretive, slipping through dense understory and leaf litter, then popping up to sing loudly from low perches. Males show a striking black mask that contrasts with a bright yellow face and underparts. Nests are typically placed on or near the ground and can be vulnerable to brood parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds. Populations have declined in parts of the range due to habitat loss and forest understory degradation.
South Padre Island - Texas
Temperament
shy and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically solitary or in pairs during the breeding season, holding territories in dense understory. Nests are cup-shaped and placed on or near the ground, concealed in leaf litter or low vegetation. Both parents feed the young, and adults may perform distraction displays near the nest.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
A loud, ringing series of emphatic phrases often rendered as “pree-tee, pree-tee, pree-tee” or “churry churry churry.” Calls include sharp chips given from cover, especially when alarmed. Males usually sing from low, shaded perches within dense foliage.
Plumage
Olive-green upperparts with bright yellow underparts and face; short tail and rounded wings. Males have a bold black mask and side of crown framing a yellow supercilium and cheek; females are duller with a reduced, grayish mask. Overall smooth, clean coloration with little streaking.
Diet
Primarily eats insects and other arthropods, including caterpillars, beetles, spiders, and ants. Gleans prey from leaf litter, low branches, and tangles, often hopping on the ground. During migration and winter it may supplement its diet with small berries and soft fruits.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in dense, humid understory of deciduous woods, streamside thickets, and overgrown edges. Often forages near or on the forest floor, probing leaf litter and low shrubs. In winter, frequents second-growth and forest edges with similar dense cover.
