Wilsonia
Encyclopedia
Wilsonia is a small genus of New World warbler
s which breed in North America
. They are migratory
, wintering south of their breeding ranges in Central America
, the West Indies or South America
.
The three species are:
Wilsonia warblers are 12 – long. They have yellow underparts and black head markings in at least the adult male plumage. Two species have plain olive green-brown back, but the Canada Warbler has grey upperparts and is also migrates much further than the other species in the genus.
The breeding habitat is broadleaved woodlands with dense undergrowth. These bird
s nest low in a bush or on the ground, laying 3–6 eggs in a cup nest.
Wilsonia warblers feed on insect
s, often caught by flycatching, and they have distinctive songs and loud chip calls.
, which is generally put in the genus Cardellina.
Recent genetic research has however suggested that the type species
of Wilsonia (Hooded Warbler W. citrina) and of Setophaga (American Redstart
S. ruticilla) are closely related and should be merged into the same genus. As the name Setophaga (published in 1827) takes priority over Wilsonia (published in 1838), Hooded Warbler would then be transferred as Setophaga citrina. Where this is accepted, the other two Wilsonia species are then transferred to their next-most closely related genus, Cardellina. This change has been accepted by the AOU
, but has not yet been taken up by the IOC
.
This genus was named to commemorate the American ornithologist Alexander Wilson
.
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....
s which breed in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. They are migratory
Bird migration
Bird migration is the regular seasonal journey undertaken by many species of birds. Bird movements include those made in response to changes in food availability, habitat or weather. Sometimes, journeys are not termed "true migration" because they are irregular or in only one direction...
, wintering south of their breeding ranges in Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
, the West Indies or South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
.
The three species are:
- Hooded WarblerHooded WarblerThe Hooded Warbler, Wilsonia citrina, is a New World warbler. It breeds in eastern North America and across the eastern USA and into southernmost Canada, . It is migratory, wintering in Central America and the West Indies...
, Wilsonia citrina - Wilson's WarblerWilson's WarblerThe Wilson's Warbler, Wilsonia pusilla, is a small New World warbler. It is primarily greenish above and yellow below, with rounded wings and a long, slim tail. The male has a black crown patch which is greatly reduced or missing entirely in the female...
, Wilsonia pusilla - Canada WarblerCanada WarblerThe Canada Warbler is a small 13 cm long songbird of the New World warbler family.These birds have yellow underparts, blue-grey upperparts and pink legs; they also have yellow eye-rings and thin, pointed bills. Adult males have black foreheads and black necklaces...
, Wilsonia canadensis
Wilsonia warblers are 12 – long. They have yellow underparts and black head markings in at least the adult male plumage. Two species have plain olive green-brown back, but the Canada Warbler has grey upperparts and is also migrates much further than the other species in the genus.
The breeding habitat is broadleaved woodlands with dense undergrowth. These bird
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
s nest low in a bush or on the ground, laying 3–6 eggs in a cup nest.
Wilsonia warblers feed on insect
Insect
Insects are a class of living creatures within the arthropods that have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body , three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes, and two antennae...
s, often caught by flycatching, and they have distinctive songs and loud chip calls.
Taxonomy
Some authorities suggest that the genus Wilsonia should include the Red-faced WarblerRed-faced Warbler
The Red-faced Warbler is a species of New World warbler.Mature Red-faced Warblers are small birds, 14 cm long. They are light gray on top with a white rump and a white underside. The face, neck, and upper breast are all bright red, while the crown and sides of the head are black...
, which is generally put in the genus Cardellina.
Recent genetic research has however suggested that the type species
Type species
In biological nomenclature, a type species is both a concept and a practical system which is used in the classification and nomenclature of animals and plants. The value of a "type species" lies in the fact that it makes clear what is meant by a particular genus name. A type species is the species...
of Wilsonia (Hooded Warbler W. citrina) and of Setophaga (American Redstart
American Redstart
The American Redstart is a New World warbler. It is the only member of its genus and is unrelated to the Old World redstarts. It derives its name from the male's red tail, start being an old word for tail.-Description:...
S. ruticilla) are closely related and should be merged into the same genus. As the name Setophaga (published in 1827) takes priority over Wilsonia (published in 1838), Hooded Warbler would then be transferred as Setophaga citrina. Where this is accepted, the other two Wilsonia species are then transferred to their next-most closely related genus, Cardellina. This change has been accepted by the AOU
American Ornithologists' Union
The American Ornithologists' Union is an ornithological organization in the USA. Unlike the National Audubon Society, its members are primarily professional ornithologists rather than amateur birders...
, but has not yet been taken up by the IOC
International Ornithological Congress
The International Ornithological Congress series forms the oldest and largest international series of meetings of ornithologists. It is organised by the International Ornithological Committee, a group of about 200 ornithologists...
.
This genus was named to commemorate the American ornithologist Alexander Wilson
Alexander Wilson
Alexander Wilson was a Scottish-American poet, ornithologist, naturalist, and illustrator.Wilson was born in Paisley, Scotland, the son of an illiterate distiller. In 1779 he was apprenticed as a weaver. His main interest at this time was in writing poetry...
.