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Birds of Zihuatanejo

CLASS AVES

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Chordates (Phylum Chordata)

-Vertebrates (Subphylum Vertebrata)

-Birds (Class Aves)

-New World Warblers (Family Parulidae)

-Genus Cardellina

-Wilson's Warbler (Cardellina pusilla)


The Cardellina pusilla, commonly known as the Wilson's Warbler, is a species of small bird native to North and Central America. It inhabits open woodlands, usually near the edges of dense forests. It has a wide range going from Alaska down to northern Mexico. The diet of the Wilson's Warbler consists mainly of insects, spiders, and berries. It forages by hopping along branches and foliage, and can often be seen hanging upside down to feed.

Wilson's Warbler

Cardellina pusilla

Diet

  • Primarily small insects, including flies, beetles, caterpillars, aphids, mosquitoes, and other insect larvae.

  • Also feeds on spiders and occasionally small berries and fruits during migration and winter.

  • Actively gleans insects from leaves, twigs, and shrubs, and occasionally catches flying insects in mid-air.

Range

  • Breeds across Alaska, Canada, and the western and northern United States.

  • Winters from western Mexico through Central America to Panama.

  • A common winter visitor to the Zihuatanejo region, where it inhabits tropical dry forests, woodland edges, mangroves, riparian forests, gardens, and shrubby habitats.

  • Prefers dense understory vegetation during the non-breeding season.

Male / Female

  • Male: Bright yellow underparts, olive-green upperparts, and a distinctive solid black cap on the crown.

  • Female: Similar overall coloration but usually lacks a fully black cap; the crown is olive or has a smaller, duller black patch.

  • Juveniles: Resemble adult females but lack the black crown entirely.

Size

  • Length: 10–12 cm (3.9–4.7 in)

  • Wingspan: 17–20 cm (6.7–7.9 in)

  • Weight: 7–10 g

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