Crescent-chested Warbler
Encyclopedia
The Crescent-chested Warbler (Oreothlypis superciliosa) is a small New World Warbler
. It is generally uncommon in its native range of central Mexico
, and accidental elsewhere.
The Crescent-chested warbler is similar to both the Northern Parula
and the Tropical Parula
, with yellow underparts, a gray head, and greenish back. Its definitive characteristic is a chestnut crescent on its breast, less prominent in the aforementioned species. Juvenile males look similar to the duller adult females, while juvenile females may lack the chestnut crescent.
Crescent-chested Warblers make their nests atop grassy tussock
s or sheltered by a hill or bank near the ground. Usually they will have 1 - 2 broods a year. The female is believed to build the nest
without help from the male, gathering moss, grass, conifer needles, and fine materials to line the nest. She will then lay approximately three plain white eggs. Incubation is estimated to last 12 – 14 days by the female. The chicks are altricial
and are also brooded by the female, and fed by both sexes. The young stay in the nest for an estimated 8–10 days.
New World warbler
The New World warblers or wood-warblers are a group of small, often colorful, passerine birds restricted to the New World. They are not related to the Old World warblers or the Australian warblers....
. It is generally uncommon in its native range of central Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, and accidental elsewhere.
The Crescent-chested warbler is similar to both the Northern Parula
Northern Parula
The Northern Parula, Parula americana, is a small New World warbler. It breeds in eastern North America from southern Canada to Florida....
and the Tropical Parula
Tropical Parula
The Tropical Parula is a small New World warbler. It breeds from southernmost Texas and northwest Mexico south through Central America to northern Argentina, including Trinidad and Tobago. This widespread and common species is not considered threatened by the IUCN.This passerine is not migratory,...
, with yellow underparts, a gray head, and greenish back. Its definitive characteristic is a chestnut crescent on its breast, less prominent in the aforementioned species. Juvenile males look similar to the duller adult females, while juvenile females may lack the chestnut crescent.
Life history
These monogamous, solitary birds become more gregarious in winter, joining mixed-species flocks to feed (mostly insects, but sometimes fruits and berries in the middle to upper levels of trees). It jumps from twigs and foliage, picking food from the underside of leaves, and hanging beneath leaves in a fashion similar to chickadees to check surfaces for prey.Crescent-chested Warblers make their nests atop grassy tussock
Tussock
Tussock most often refers to a small hillock of grassy, or grass-like plant growth, but may also refer to Plants and ecology, Insects.- Plants and ecology :*Tussock *New Zealand tussock grasslands*Serrated Tussock...
s or sheltered by a hill or bank near the ground. Usually they will have 1 - 2 broods a year. The female is believed to build the nest
Nest
A nest is a place of refuge to hold an animal's eggs or provide a place to live or raise offspring. They are usually made of some organic material such as twigs, grass, and leaves; or may simply be a depression in the ground, or a hole in a tree, rock or building...
without help from the male, gathering moss, grass, conifer needles, and fine materials to line the nest. She will then lay approximately three plain white eggs. Incubation is estimated to last 12 – 14 days by the female. The chicks are altricial
Altricial
Altricial, meaning "requiring nourishment", refers to a pattern of growth and development in organisms which are incapable of moving around on their own soon after hatching or being born...
and are also brooded by the female, and fed by both sexes. The young stay in the nest for an estimated 8–10 days.