The olive-capped warbler is a species of New World warbler that is native to the western and eastern ends of Cuba as well as Grand Bahama and the Abaco Islands in the Bahamas. Its natural habitat is pine forests and occasionally adjacent mixed forests.
Region
Greater Antilles and Northern Bahamas
Typical Environment
This species is patchily distributed in Caribbean pine ecosystems, occurring in western and eastern Cuba and on Grand Bahama and Abaco in the Bahamas. It is closely tied to pine woodlands and pine–broadleaf ecotones, especially where an open to moderately dense understory is present. It uses both mature and recovering pine stands and will forage along edges and in adjacent mixed forests. After severe storms or fires, it may occupy regenerating pine habitats as insects become abundant. It generally avoids heavily urbanized zones and dense mangroves.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The olive-capped warbler is a Caribbean pine-forest specialist found in western and eastern Cuba and on Grand Bahama and Abaco in the northern Bahamas. It forages methodically among pine needles and twigs, often hanging to glean hidden insects. Storms and changes in pine management can affect its habitat, but it persists in both mature and regenerating pine stands. It was formerly placed in the genus Dendroica before being moved to Setophaga.
Temperament
active and methodical
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Breeds in pairs that defend small territories within pine forests, nesting in trees or dense foliage. Outside the breeding season it may join small loose flocks and occasionally mixes with other pine-woodland birds. Both sexes participate in foraging near each other during the nesting period, and the species remains on territory year-round in many areas.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a thin, high-pitched series of trills and buzzy notes, reminiscent of a softer Pine Warbler but drier and more delicate. Calls include sharp chips and thin tsit notes given while foraging.
