Family New World Warblers (Parulidae)
Least Concern
Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor)
Taxonomy
French: Paruline des prés German: Rotmantel-Waldsänger Spanish: Reinita galana
Taxonomy:
Sylvia discolor
Vieillot
, 1809,“the Antilles”, in Caribbean
.
Subspecies and Distribution
S. d. discolor
(Vieillot, 1809) – SE Canada (SE Ontario) and E USA E from NW Michigan, SE Iowa, E Kansas and E Texas and S from extreme S Maine (but excluding S coastal areas and most of Florida and Mississippi Valley); migrates to peninsular Florida, Caribbean and islands off coast (also small numbers on adjacent mainland) of C Central America.
S. d. paludicola
(A. H. Howell, 1930) – coastal S Florida.
Descriptive notes
11–12 cm; 5·7–10·8 g. Male nominate race breeding has olive-green crown and nape, yellow supercilium and large yellow patch below eye, black... read more
Voice
Two song types. Type 1 song a series of rapid buzzy notes, accelerating and rising in pitch towards... read more
Habitat
Nominate race breeds in dry, scrubby and shrubby areas lacking closed canopy but often with... read more
Food and feeding
Feeds mainly on insects and other arthropods, especially spiders (Araneae); occasionally takes fruit and nectar in winter. Forages mainly... read more
Breeding
Season May–Jul; S populations (including paludicola) often double-brooded. Polygyny regular, but relatively infrequent. Nest... read more
Movements
Resident and medium-distance migrant. Nominate race migratory, leaves breeding grounds from late... read more
Status and conservation
Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Listed as a species of conservation concern by US Fish & Wildlife Service. Nominate race generally common throughout range. Like... read more
Species is sister to S. vitellina, but suggestion that the two are conspecifics rejected by recent molecular study#R. Two subspecies recognized.