orange-crowned warbler

orange-crowned warbler (Leiothlypis celata)
Photo © Rob Curtis/The Early Birder

FEATURES
The orange-crowned warbler has yellow feathers under the tail and some very faint streaks on the breast feathers. The overall color is gray-green. There are no white markings on the wings. Despite its common name, an orange crown is not easily seen. This species is about five inches long.

BEHAVIORS
The orange-crowned warbler is an uncommon migrant through the state and may rarely be seen in Illinois in winter. It eats mainly insects, although fruits may become part of the diet in fall and winter. It nests in Canada, Alaska and the Rocky Mountains of the western United States. This species winters in the southern United States, Mexico and Central America. Migrants in spring begin arriving in early to mid-April. Fall migrants do not usually appear until late September.

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Parulidae