The white-lored warbler is a species of bird in the family Parulidae. It is endemic to the Santa Marta Mountains in Colombia.
Region
Northern South America
Typical Environment
Found only in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta of northern Colombia. It inhabits humid montane forest, forest edges, and older second growth with dense understory. Birds frequently work along shaded ravines, streamside thickets, and vine tangles where leaf litter and low foliage harbor arthropods. It tolerates some disturbance but depends on continuous forest patches for breeding and year-round shelter.
Altitude Range
500–2300 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Endemic to Colombia’s Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the white-lored warbler is a skulking forest warbler named for its distinctive white lores. It forages close to the ground in dense understory and often joins mixed-species flocks. Habitat loss from deforestation and agriculture threatens its limited range, making careful forest management important for its survival.
Temperament
secretive but active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low and direct
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, especially during the breeding season. Regularly joins mixed-species flocks moving through the understory. Nests are typically placed low, well concealed in dense vegetation or banks, and both adults attend young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A rapid series of clear, high-pitched whistles and trills, often delivered from concealed perches. Calls include sharp chips used to keep contact within pairs and flocks.
Plumage
Olive-green upperparts with bright yellow underparts and throat; grayish head with contrasting white lores and a darker eye line. Wings and tail are olive without wingbars; underparts clean yellow becoming slightly paler on the belly. Feathers appear sleek and close-fitting, aiding movement through dense foliage.
Diet
Primarily small insects and other arthropods gleaned from leaves, twigs, and moss in the lower strata. Also probes leaf litter and bark crevices for spiders and larvae. Occasionally takes small berries when insect prey is scarce.
Preferred Environment
Dense understory of humid montane forest, streamside tangles, and forest edge thickets. Foraging often follows mixed flocks along shaded ravines and viney second growth.
