Colima Warbler

Overview

Colima Warbler: Large warbler, gray head, throat, brown to gray-brown upperparts. Rufous crown patch, white eye ring. Bright yellow-olive rump. Buff-brown breast, flanks. Light gray belly. Long gray tail. Believed to be restricted to Mexico until 1928, when a specimen was found in Texas.

Range and Habitat

Colima Warbler: Short distance migrator. Breeds and winters in moist canyons of mixed hardwoods and softwoods at montane elevations of 6,000-7,700ft. United States range restricted to breeding in Chisos Mountains, Big Bend National Park, Texas. Also breeds in mountain habitat of north and eastern Mexico. Winters in mountains of central and southwestern Mexico.

INTERESTING FACTS

The Colima Warbler was thought to be restricted to Mexico until a specimen was collected in Texas in 1928. It was later confirmed that the warbler breeds in Texas. It is unclear if this represents a range expansion or was simply overlooked until then.
They have been observed adapting to weather patterns. In 1996, a snow and ice storm arrived after the Colimas returned to breeding territories and destroyed much of their food supply. The Colimas relocated to lower-elevation sites for breeding that year.
A group of warblers has many collective nouns, including a "bouquet", "confusion", "fall", and "wrench" of warblers.

The Colima Warbler’s natural habitat ranges from the Sierra Madre Occidental in central Mexico to the Chisos Mountains of the Big Bend National Park in southwestern Texas. However, specimens were not found outside of Mexico until 1928. This species nests on the ground, hiding its young behind mountainous rocks. In the winter, the northernmost populations will migrate short distances to the mountain ranges of central and southwestern Mexico. The Colima Warbler prefers habitats such as moist canyons and mixed hardwood and softwood forests. The current conservation rating of this species is Near Threatened, as populations have decreased in recent years.