{"id":4489,"date":"2020-11-27T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-11-27T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/?p=4489"},"modified":"2020-12-03T20:34:21","modified_gmt":"2020-12-03T20:34:21","slug":"the-orange-crowned-warbler","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/2020\/11\/27\/the-orange-crowned-warbler\/","title":{"rendered":"The Orange-Crowned Warbler: Plain and Simple"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Photo: Marky Mutchler (Macaulay Library<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Part I: Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Orange-crowned Warbler is one of 54 warbler species found across North America. The warblers are part of the order Passeriformes, and all but one warbler species, are part of the family Parulidae. Warblers are known as one of the smallest kinds of birds found within North America. The Orange-crowned Warbler<\/strong> (Leiothlypis celata<\/em>) is known for traveling long distances, heading South during Fall migration (Sibley 2016). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Description & Identification<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Orange-crowned Warbler is a small songbird with a sharp pointed bill. It has been described as the plainest warbler species. It has an olive coloration on its upperparts and more of a yellow coloration on its underparts. Overall, Orange-crowned Warblers can be quite plain in terms of colour patterns. As for the under tail covert feathers, these feathers are typically bright yellow. On the Pacific coast Orange-crowned Warblers have been described as having a more yellowish appearance than those that are farther East.  Taking a closer look, Orange-crowned Warblers have a faint, thin yellow, or white stripe over the eye as well as a faint black streak that appears to pass though the eye, and a very pale eyering. Despite its name, the Orange-crowned Warbler typically does not have a noticeably visible orange crown; very rarely can an actual orange patch be seen . However, an orange patch on the crown of the warbler\u2019s head may become visible if the bird raises its feathers in response to stimuli causing excitement or agitation to the bird (Audubon Field Guide).<\/a> An Orange-crowned Warbler can range in length between 3 to 5.5 inches, and weigh between 0.3 to 0.4 oz. Lastly, the warblers wingspan is equal to approximately 7.5 inches for both males and females (Sibley 2016). (eBird)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Like many warbler species, the Orange-crowned Warbler can be found foraging within thick shrubs and low-growing vegetation including small trees. This species has been referred to as being quite quiet and rather inconspicuous. Often times, however, it can be spotted when foraging within low vegetation. They can also be heard making low volume contact calls to one another while scavenging. The Orange-crowned Warbler\u2019s call can be described as a high pitch \u201cchip\u201d sound (Jones 2007<\/a>). Whereas its song is considered a trill, meaning when they sing, it\u2019s a series of quickly repeated high notes (eBird)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                The Orange-crowned Warbler is an insectivore, meaning that its main diet is composed of insects such as various types of ants, flies, caterpillars, beetles, and other invertebrate prey such as spiders. If the Orange-crowned Warbler encounters a shortage of insects, they can alter their diets and eat other food sources such as fruits, seeds, and other forms of vegetation. They have been known to also visit sap wells made by types of woodpeckers such as the sap sucker. Orange-crowned Warblers may, at times, be attracted to backyard feeders or may attempt to retrieve nectar from flowering plants. (The Cornell Lab)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Marky Mutchler (Macaulay Library<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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