Oriente Warbler Teretistris fornsi Scientific name definitions

This species is the eastern representative of the genus Teretistris, which is endemic to Cuba. It is a subtly attractive warbler, clad in plain gray over the crown and upperparts, with a yellow face and underparts, and possesses the genus’ characteristic decurved bill. The Oriente Warbler is distributed over the north-central littoral of the main island, then more widely over the extreme east of the island, and its range also encompasses several cays off the north shores of Cuba. It inhabits forests and scrub from sea level to the highest altitudes, just below 2000 m, and the Oriente Warbler is generally common and easily observed. Small flocks form outside the breeding season, sometimes with at least one Cuban Vireo (Vireo gundlachii) in attendance. The species breeds in March to July at least, when it builds a cup-shaped nest and lays 2–3 eggs.

13 cm; 7·4–13 g. Has crown, nape  and upperparts  grey, face, throat and most of under­parts yellow, becoming white on rear underparts  , with dull brownish wash on flanks; yellow eyering; iris dark; bill  blackish-grey; legs bluish-grey. Sexes alike. Juvenile undescribed.

Editor's Note: This article requires further editing work to merge existing content into the appropriate Subspecies sections. Please bear with us while this update takes place.

• Yellow-headed x Oriente Warbler (hybrid) Teretistris fernandinae x fornsi

E Cuba, including larger cays north of Ciego de Ávila and Camagüey Provinces.

Occurs in all types of forest having relatively undisturbed understorey, also in scrubby thickets in semi-arid areas, from lowlands to high mountains; tends to be found in semi-arid scrubby woodlands near coast and in more humid forests higher in mountains.

Sedentary.

Feeds on insects and other invertebrates, also small lizards; small fruits may also be taken. Stomach contents indicate that diet mostly of beetles (Coleoptera), with smaller numbers of homopteran bugs and Lepidoptera. Forages at low to middle levels, mostly in understorey, also on ground; generally at higher levels (mostly above 5 m in middle storey) in morning, descending to lower levels, and frequently ground, in afternoon. Feeds mainly by gleaning, but also hover-gleaning; also by probing bark crevices and clumps of dead leaves. Outside breeding season generally in flocks of 4–16 individuals, which often act as nucleus of mixed-species foraging flocks.

Song  a series of buzzy notes interspersed with sweeter notes, very similar to that of T. fernandinae but slightly more monotonous. Calls similar to those of T. fernandinae, but slightly less harsh, and include sharp “tchip”.

Season Mar–Jul, egg-laying generally Mar–Apr. Nest made from Tillandsia moss, rootlets, vines and fine grasses, unlined, placed c. 1 m above ground on horizontal branch or tree fork, usually concealed in clump of Tillandsia. Clutch 2–3 eggs; incubation period 8–9 days; nestling period 10–11 days.

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Restricted-range species: present in Cuba EBA. Little recorded on status; probably common within its limited and rather discontinuous range.