Bachman's Warbler (Vermivora bachmanii)

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A Field Guide to Warblers of North America (The Peterson Field Guide Series). by Kimball L. Garrett, Jon L. Dunn, Cindy House (Illustrator)

Warblers of Eastern North America

Bachman's Warbler (Vermivora bachmanii)

Identification: 4.25 inches from tip of bill to tip of tail.

Breeding Male: Bachman's Warbler is one of the smallest warblerswith a total length of 4 to 4.5 inches. The back is olive-green and the face, throat, and underside bright yellow. There is a contrasting black patch on the throat and the breast. The crown of the head is black.

Female: The female lacks the black patch on the breast and throat and the crown of the head is gray, not black.

Fall Male and Female: Similar to the breeding male and female.

Immature: Similar to the female.

Similar Species: Bachman's Warbler is most likely to be confused with the Hooded Warbler. The face of the male Hooded Warbler is completely enclosed with a black mask. The black of the male Bachman's Warbler is separate between the throat and the crown of the head.

Breeding Range (see map below): Bachman's Warbler is an extremely rare species of the southeastern United States. It has not been verified in the United States for several years. Historically the species is known to breed in Louisiana, South Carolina, Kentucky, and Maryland.

Overwintering Range: Bachman's Warbler overwinters in western Cuba.

Habitat: Bachman's Warbler is found in densely wooded swamps and wet thickets in heavy, mature forest.

Food: Insects.

Behavior: The song consists of a series of distinct notes in a monotone.

Reproduction: The nest is constructed of plant fibers and leaves, and placed low in shrubs and vines. The clutch consists of 3 to 4 white eggs.

Notes: Bachman's Warbler is an exceedingly rare bird and is on the U.S. Endangered Species list. It has not been seen breeding in the United States in many years, although isolated individuals have been seen in Cuba. The species occurs in deep, tangled woods making it a difficult bird to find and to observe.