Grace's Warbler

Setophaga graciae

Grace's Warbler (*Setophaga graciae*) is a small, agile New World warbler, typically measuring around 12.5 cm (4.9 in) in length, with a modest wingspan of 19-21 cm (7.5-8.3 in) and weighing approximately 8-11 grams (0.28-0.39 oz). Its plumage is characterized by a bright yellow throat and upper breast, which starkly contrasts with a gray head and back, complemented by two prominent white wing bars. A dark eye line and often a subtle yellow spot at the lore further aid in identification, whil...

Habitat

Grace's Warbler primarily inhabits mature montane coniferous and pine-oak forests at mid to high elevations, typically found between 1,500 to over 3,000 meters (5,000-10,000 feet).

Diet

Grace's Warbler is primarily insectivorous, feeding on a diverse array of small arthropods including caterpillars, beetles, spiders, and other insects, mainly acquired by gleaning from needles and small branches in the forest canopy.

Behavior

Grace's Warbler is a highly active, diurnal insectivore, spending much of its day foraging high in the canopy with remarkable agility. It employs a distinctive foraging strategy, meticulously gleaning insects from the outer twigs and needles of pines and oaks, often hovering briefly to snatch pre...

Range

The breeding range of Grace's Warbler spans the mountainous regions of the southwestern United States, primarily in Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and southwestern Colorado, extending continuously south through Mexico. In Mexico, it breeds extensively throughout the Sierra Madre Occidental and Orient...

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Fun Facts

- Grace's Warbler was named after Grace Darling Coues, the 14-year-old daughter of the renowned American ornithologist Elliott Coues, who first described the species in 1865. - This warbler is an arboreal specialist, spending an extraordinary amount of its time high in the canopies of mature pine...

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