The olive warbler is a small passerine bird. It is the only member of the genus Peucedramus and the family Peucedramidae.
Region
Southwestern United States and Mesoamerica
Typical Environment
Found from southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico south through the highlands of Mexico to northern Central America, reaching Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. It favors montane pine and pine-oak forests, especially mature stands with open canopies. In the United States it inhabits isolated sky island ranges, while farther south it occurs along major mountain chains such as the Sierra Madre. It uses both interior forest and edges, often following ridgelines and open woodland mosaics.
Altitude Range
1500–3500 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The olive warbler is the sole member of both its genus Peucedramus and the family Peucedramidae. It is closely associated with high-elevation pine and pine-oak forests, where it gleans insects from needle clusters. Males show a striking orange head with a dark facial mask, while females are duller and more yellow. It often forages in mixed-species flocks, moving restlessly through the canopy.
Annual cycle
Temperament
active and arboreal
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile, flitting movements through the canopy
Social Behavior
Often joins mixed-species flocks, moving restlessly along branches and needle clusters. Pairs form in the breeding season; the nest is a small, neat cup placed high in conifers. Both sexes participate in territory defense, and the species is generally monogamous.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Song is a series of thin, high-pitched, sibilant phrases and trills, often delivered from the canopy. Calls are sharp, high tseet notes that can be hard to localize in windy pines.
Plumage
Olive-gray upperparts with clean grayish underparts and two crisp white wingbars; males show a bright orange head contrasting with a dark mask, females have a duller yellow head and weaker mask. Fine, pointed bill and relatively long tail for a small warbler. Plumage is neat and smooth, with subtle olive tones across the mantle and scapulars.
Diet
Primarily consumes small arthropods such as caterpillars, beetles, leafhoppers, and spiders. It glean-hovers at the tips of conifer branches, picking prey from needles and cones. It occasionally sallies to catch flying insects and may take small amounts of plant matter opportunistically.
Preferred Environment
Feeds mostly in the mid to upper canopy of pine and pine-oak forests, especially in mature stands with abundant needle clusters. Frequently forages along edges, ridgelines, and open woodland where prey is concentrated on sunlit foliage.
