Rufous-capped Warblers have reddish-brown crowns, white eyebrows, black eyepatch that turns reddish just past the eyes, and white cheeks. Their throats and upper breasts are bright yellow, their backs, wings, and tails are olive-green, and their bellies are white.
Rufous-capped Warblers (Basileuterus rufifrons) look extremely similar to the Chestnut-capped warbler (Basileuterus delattrii) and were once grouped together as one species. In 2021, the Chestnut-capped warbler was recently separated as its own species.Â
- Basileuterus rufifrons
- Length: 5 – 5.5 inches (13 -1 4 cm)
- Weight: 0.4 oz (11 g)
- Wingspan: 8 inches (20 cm)
Range
Rufous-capped Warblers live mainly in Mexico, but they also are found in southern US states.
Habitat And Diet
You can find Rufous-capped Warblers in oak woodland canyon bottoms with dense vegetation flicking its tail up.
Their diet consists of insects and spiders, which they forage on the ground, quite different from other warblers that fly from atop their perches to catch their prey in the air.
Rufous-capped Warblers’ Song:
Nests
Nests of Rufous-capped Warblers are made of grass and plants built next to rocks or stumps or on the side of steep banks. Females lay only two to four eggs which she incubates for two weeks.
Fun Fact:
The Rufous-capped Warbler often moves quickly with its tail raised and flicking about.
