Oporornis
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 Kentucky Warbler (male)
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O. formosus |
Oporornis is a small genus of New World warblers which breed in North America. They are migratory, wintering south of their breeding ranges in Central or South America.
The four species are:
- Kentucky Warbler, Oporornis formosus
- Connecticut Warbler, Oporornis agilis
- Mourning Warbler, Oporornis philadelphia
- MacGillivray's Warbler, Oporornis tolmiei
Oporornis warblers are robust stocky birds, 13-15 cm long. They have yellow underparts, olive green upperparts and generally browner wings. The head and breast are grey in the males of three species, with the females’ hood being browner and duller. However, the Kentucky Warbler looks more like a yellowthroat, with the entire underparts yellow, and black head markings in the male plumage. This species may be a link between Oporornis warblers and the yellowthroats.
The breeding habitat is broadleaved woodlands, often in wet areas and with dense undergrowth. These skulking, fairly terrestrial warblers nest low in a bush or on the ground, laying 3-6 eggs in a cup nest.
Oporornis warblers feed on insects and spiders often caught on the ground or low in vegetation; they have simple churring songs and buzzing calls.
[edit] References
New World Warblers by Curson, Quinn and Beadle, ISBN 0-7136-3932-6
