Townsend's Warbler
Setophaga townsendi
About This Species
This warbler favours tall coniferous forest, foraging actively in the outer canopy where its bold black, yellow and white pattern can be picked out against the foliage. Its buzzy, rising song is a useful cue since the bird itself often stays high overhead. Spring migration and the early breeding season in the Pacific Northwest and western mountains offer the best combination of vocal activity and accessible viewing before the canopy fills in.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Because it typically forages well above head height, a good pair of binoculars is the main tool needed and there is little reason to approach closely.
- In the United States and Canada it is protected under migratory bird treaty legislation, making it illegal to disturb active nests or handle birds; treat any nesting tree with a wide, minimal-disturbance buffer.
- Avoid extended playback of its song during breeding season, as this can distract birds from foraging and territory defence.
LCAvesPasseriformesParulidae
Seasonal Activity
920,519 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Parulidae
Photo
(c) macrhybopsis, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
CC-BY-NC-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.