Hermit Warbler
Setophaga occidentalis
Also known as: Western Warbler
About This Species
Breeds high in the canopy of old-growth Douglas-fir and hemlock forests along the Pacific coast from Washington to California, foraging methodically through needle clusters for insects. Listen for a thin, buzzy, rising song delivered from the treetops, since the bird itself is easy to miss against backlit foliage. Late spring through mid-summer is the best window in breeding habitat, while during migration it turns up in pine-oak woodland further south.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- A pair of binoculars and patience below the canopy is the practical limit for viewing distance; there is no need or safe way to get closer to a bird working the treetops.
- It is protected from take, capture and nest disturbance under migratory bird law in the countries across its range, so avoid extended playback near a singing male in breeding season, which can pull it off territory.
- General good practice, keeping to trails and minimising time near an active nest area, covers the rest.
LCAvesPasseriformesParulidae
Seasonal Activity
181,136 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Parulidae
Photo
(c) Frode Jacobsen, some rights reserved (CC BY)
CC-BY-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.