The Nashville warbler is a small songbird in the New World warbler family, found in North and Central America. It breeds in parts of the northern and western United States and southern Canada, and migrates to winter in southern California and Texas, Mexico, and the north of Central America. It has a gray head and a green back, and its underparts are yellow and white.
Region
North and Central America
Typical Environment
Breeds across southern Canada and the northern and western United States in young, shrubby forests, regenerating clearcuts, and bog edges. During migration it passes widely through the central and eastern U.S. and the West, using thickets, wood edges, and gardens. Winters from southern California and Texas into Mexico and northern Central America, especially in oak–pine and scrub habitats. Prefers dense low vegetation for foraging and nesting and often stays close to cover.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 3000 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Despite its name, the Nashville warbler does not breed in Nashville; the first specimen was collected there during migration. Males have a hidden rufous crown patch they can raise when excited. It often joins mixed-species flocks during migration and winter.
A young female in Madison, Wisconsin
Western subspecies (L.r. ridgwayi) in Santa Barbara, CA
Eastern subspecies (L.r. ruficapilla) in Ohio
A nest with an egg and newly hatched nestlings, in Bellefeuille, Quebec
Temperament
active and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Generally solitary or in pairs on the breeding grounds, where it nests near or on the ground in a well-hidden cup nest. Monogamous pairs defend small territories; the female incubates while the male helps feed fledglings. In migration and winter it often joins mixed-species flocks and forages higher in shrubs and small trees.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
A two-part, ringing series that starts with several high, crisp notes and accelerates into a slightly lower, buzzy trill. Call notes are sharp chips and thin tsip sounds, often given while foraging in dense cover.
Plumage
Olive-green back with a clean gray head, bright yellow throat and breast fading to a whitish belly. Adults show a complete white eye ring; males often have a concealed rufous crown patch. Wings are plain without wing bars.
Diet
Primarily consumes insects and other small arthropods, including caterpillars, flies, leafhoppers, and spiders. Gleans prey from leaves and twigs and occasionally sallies to catch flying insects. During migration and winter it may add small berries or nectar to its diet when insect prey is scarce.
Preferred Environment
Forages in dense shrubs, young saplings, and low tree canopies, especially along forest edges and regenerating habitats. In winter it uses scrub, oak–pine woodlands, and second-growth edges, often keeping to mid to lower levels of vegetation.
