Virginia's warbler is a species of New World warbler.
Region
Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico
Typical Environment
Breeds in pinyon–juniper woodlands, oak scrub, and brushy foothills across the interior Southwest, including Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, and adjacent regions. It favors dry slopes, canyons, and open woodland with a dense shrub layer. During migration it uses riparian corridors, desert washes, and shrubby edges. In winter it occupies tropical deciduous forest edges, thorn-scrub, and second-growth habitats mainly in western and northern Mexico, occasionally reaching northern Central America.
Altitude Range
900–3000 m
Climate Zone
Arid
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Virginia's warbler is a small, active New World warbler that breeds in the arid interior West of the United States. Despite its name, it is seldom found in the state of Virginia. A conspicuous yellow rump and a small yellow breast patch help separate it from similar grayish warblers. It often flicks its tail while foraging low in scrub and frequently nests near or on the ground under shrubs.
Temperament
skulking but active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Pairs form on breeding territories where they nest low in dense shrubs or on the ground, well concealed by vegetation. The female primarily incubates while the male often sings from nearby perches; both parents feed the young. Outside the breeding season they join small flocks, frequently mixing with other insectivorous songbirds.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
A bright, rapid series of thin, buzzy phrases delivered from low shrubs or small trees. Calls are sharp chips and tsips used while foraging and maintaining contact. The song can be reminiscent of other gray-and-yellow warblers but is higher and more clipped.
Plumage
Smooth gray upperparts with a contrasting bright yellow rump; pale grayish underparts with a small yellow patch on the breast. Often shows a subtle chestnut crown spot that can be concealed. Clean white eye-ring and slightly yellowish undertail area; fine, pointed bill typical of insect-gleaners.
Diet
Primarily small insects and other arthropods, including caterpillars, beetles, leafhoppers, and spiders. It gleans prey from leaves and twigs and occasionally sallies to snatch flying insects. During migration and winter it may supplement its diet with small berries when insects are scarce.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in low to mid-level shrub layers of pinyon–juniper and oak scrub, along brushy canyon edges, and in riparian thickets during migration. In winter it forages in thorn-scrub and tropical deciduous edges, often in semi-open second growth.
