Mangrove Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)

OTHER NAMES: Mangrove Warbler
Latin Etymology: Setophaga ("moth eating") petecchia ("small red spot") 

Female Mangrove Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Setophaga petechia xanthotera
Weight: ?  /  Length: 13cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Until recently, this species also included the migratory Northern Yellow Warbler, a very similar looking species which is found up into the Arctic Circle, but the Mangrove Yellow Warbler is by contrast a sedentary resident of Central America and the Caribbean. Males have a distinctive chestnut cap, but within the many subspecies the specifics of the various subspecies are fairly variable.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Parulidae
Genus: Setophaga

SUBSPECIES: S. p. oraria, S. p. bryanti, S. p. erithachorides, S. p. chrysendeta, S. p. paraguanae, S. p. cienagae, S. p. castaneiceps, S. p. rhizophorae, S. p. phillipsi, S. p. xanthotera, S. p. aithocorys. S. p. iguanae, S. p. aequatorialis, S. p. jubaris, S. p. peruviana, S. p. aureola, S. p. ruficapilla, S. p. rufivertex, S. p. armouri, S. p. flavida, S. p. eoa, S. p. gundlachi, S. p. flaviceps, S. p. albicollis, S. p. chlora, S. p. solaris, S. p. bartholemica, S. p. melanoptera, S. p. babad, S. p. petechia, S. p. alsiosa, S. p. rufopileata, S. p. obscura, S. p. aurifrons 
 

- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA 
A Coastal resident
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

.

Flame-throated Warbler (Oreothlypis gutturalis)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Oreothlypis ("mountain warbler") gutturalis ("of the throat")

Flame-throated Warbler (Oreothlypis gutturalis) at San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 10g  /  Length: 11cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

An endemic warbler of the Talamancan Montane Forest running between Costa Rica and Panama where they feed primarily upon spiders and insects higher in the branches. They have a particularly high core range, starting at 2100m up to the timberline, although in the wet season they may descend lower in certain locales.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Parulidae
Genus: Oreothlypis
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 
 
- Sighting Locations - 

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Reinita Garganta de Fuego ("Fire-throated Warbler")

Endemic to the Talamancan Montane Forest EcoZone     
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at San Gerardo de Dota

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

.

Tennessee Warbler (Leiothlypis peregrina)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Leiothlypis ("plain unknown warbler") peregrina ("wanderer")

Tennessee Warbler (Leiothlypis peregrina) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 10g  /  Length: 11cm  /  Wingspan: 19cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Despite the name, the Tennessee Warbler does not actually breed anywhere near Tennessee, but rather has a range that makes it a near endemic breeder in Canada, only barely tipping over the US border at a few points. It is named as such as this is where a specimen on migration was collected. However, it is a long distance migrant to the Caribbean, Central America and the Northernmost countries of South America, where, while it's there, is a very common and adaptable species found in a wide range of habitats and altitudes. 
 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Parulidae
Genus: Leiothlypis
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 
 
- Sighting Locations - 

COSTA RICA - Spanish (Costa Rica) - Reinita Verdilla

A common and widespread Winter migrant
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles, San Jose and San Gerardo de Dota. 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

.

Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Setophaga ("moth eating") pensylvanica ("of Pensilvania")

 

Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica) at Alajuela, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 8-13g  /  Length: 10-14cm  /  Wingspan: 16-21cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern 

A long distance migrant that breeds in South East Canada, New england and the Great Lakes before migrating to Central America from the Yucutan to Panama for Wintering. The male has an unusual colour palette for a warbler with a white underside with terracotta red under the wings, black markings and a yellow crown making it easy to distinguish from other warblers. They are primarily predators of caterpillars and fly larvae.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Parulidae
Genus: Setophaga
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Renita de Pensilvania ("Pensilvanian Warbler")

A widespread species that Winters in most of Costa Rica except the North West.
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Alajuela 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

.

Chestnut-capped Warbler (Basileuterus delattrii)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Basileuterus ("kingly") delattrii (for naturalist Adolphe Delattre)

Chestnut-capped Warbler (Basileuterus delattrii) at Location, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Basileuterus delattrii mesochrysus
Weight: ?  /  Length: 12cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

At time of writing, a very recently recognised species - only split in 2021 from the similar rufous-capped warbler whose range is largely within Mexico. The Chestnut-capped has a more southerly range and is instead distributed from Honduras to Venezuela.

Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Parulidae
Genus: Basileuterus
SUBSPECIES: B. r. delattrim B. r. mesochrysus, B. r. actuosus
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Reinita Coronicastaña ("Red-crowned Warbler")

Found in Western Costa Rica
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

.

Black-cheeked Warbler (Basileuterus melanogenys)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Basileuterus ("kingly") melanogenys ("black cheek")

Black-cheeked Warbler (Basileuterus melanogenys) at San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Basileuterus melanogenys melanogenys

Weight: 13g/kg  /  Length: 13cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

An endemic of the Talamancan montane forests usually only found from altitudes of 2500m, despite this highly local and specialised range it has three subspecies. They have an unusual setup of building domed nests on banks or gullies where the female lays two white eggs.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Parulidae
Genus: Basileuterus
SUBSPECIES: B. m. melanogenys, B. m. eximius, B. m. bensoni
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Reinita Carinegra
Endemic to Talamancan Montane Forests of Costa Rica and Panama from 2500m altitude
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen San Gerardo de Dota

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

.

Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea)

OTHER NAMES: Golden Swamp Warbler
Latin Etymology: Protonotaria (from Prothonotary - a yellow robed notary) citrea ("citrine")

Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) at Alajuela, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 14g  /  Length: 13cm  /  Wingspan: 22cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Named for Prothonotaries - an administrative role in the Byzantine Empire who were noted for wearing yellow robes as a sign of their station. As a breeding bird, it is near endemic to the USA with a slight foothold in Ontario, however, it Winters in Central America and neighbouring countries of South America. This particular individual had decided to make a somewhat intense home within the reeds of the crocodile enclosure of Rescarte Wildlife Rescue Centre.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Parulidae
Genus: Protonotaria
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Reinita Protonotaria

A Winter Migrant
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: One seen at Alajuela

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

.

Hume's Leaf Warbler (Phylloscopus humei)

OTHER NAMES: Hume's Warbler, Buff-browed warbler
Latin Etymology:  Phylloscopus ("leaf seeker") humei (for naturalist Allan Hume)

Adult Hume's Leaf Warbler (Phylloscopus humei) at Warham Greens, Norfolk, UK- October 2025

Featured Subspecies: Phylloscopus humei humei
Weight: 6.5g  /  Length: 10-11cm  /  Wingspan: 15-21cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A particularly tiny leaf warbler whose native range essentially follows the Western border of China before extending up into Russia and Mongolia. Despite its typical location it can not infrequently turn up in Europe as a vagrant - an impressive distance! They breed in larch and pine forests and subsist almost enitrely on small insects.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Phylloscopidae
Genus: Phylloscopus
SUBSPECIES: P. h. humeii, P. h. mandelli

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A rare vagrant
 - An Autumn vagrant seen at Warham Greens in October 2025.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

.

Eastern Orphean warbler (Curruca crassirostris)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Curruca (bird mentioned by Juvenal) crassirostris ("stout beak") 

Adult male Eastern Orphean warbler (Curruca crassirostris) at Side, Antalya, turkey - April 2025

Featured Subspecies: Curruca crassirostris crassirostris
Weight: g/kg  /  Length: 15-16m  /  Wingspan: cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Formerly lumped in the wider "Orphean Warbler" species, the Eastern species breeds from Croatia through to Krygzstan with the heart of its range being cenred around Greece and Turkey. They are named for the mythical figure Orpheus in allusion to their intricate song. This individual photographed has a pale iris which can be one of the better ID cinching features, but it's not present in all or even most individuals.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Sylviidae
Genus: Curruca
SUBSPECIES: C. c. crassirostris, C. c. balchanica, C. c. jerdoni

 - Sighting Locations -

TURKEY  - Turkish: ?

 - ANTALYA 2025 TRIP - Onee near Side

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

.

Rüppell's warbler (Curruca ruppeli)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Curruca (bird mentioned by Juvenal) ruppeli (for Zoologist Eduard Rüppell )

Adult male Rüppell's warbler (Curruca ruppeli) at Side, Antalya, turkey - April 2025

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 13g  /  Length: 14cm  /  Wingspan: 20-25cm
UK STATUS NOT EVALUATED/ IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A species that is centred around Southern Greece and Turkey during the beeding seasons and winter in North East Africa. Their preferred habitat is warm areas and scrubby hills where they hunt for insects, although they will also feed on berries outside breeding season. 

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Sylviidae
Genus: Curruca
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

TURKEY  - Turkish:Karaboğazlı ötleğen("Black-throated Warbler")

 - ANTALYA 2025 TRIP - Fairly common towards end of trip, possibly migration arrival

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

.

Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Mniotilta ("seaweed plucker") varia ("variegated")

Alex Holt · Black-and-White Warbler (backgrounnd call)

Call in background - Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) at Sully Creek State Park, North Dakota - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 11g  /  Length: 11-13cm  /  Wingspan: 21cm
NO UK STATUS  IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A stunning looking species with distinct black and white stripes that give the overall bird something of a zebra-ish aesthetic. It behaves somewhat like a nuthatch in scaling up and down tree trunks looking for food - primarily insects and spiders.  This unique behaviour has resulted in it being placed in it's own genus.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Parulidae
Genus: Mniotilta
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES - Breeds in Eastern States of the Lower 48
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Heard in North Dakota

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

.

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)

OTHER NAMES: Myrtle Warbler
Latin Etymology: Setophaga ("moth eating") coronata ("crowned")

Adult female Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) at Teslin Lake, Yukon, Canada  - August 2024

Featured Subspecies: Myrtle Warbler - Setophaga coronata
Weight: 12g  /  Length: 14-15cm  /  Wingspan: 19-24cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A species of somewhat complex and potentially unresolved taxonomic status - the Yellow-rumped warbler is currently comprised of four subspecies which are by some authorities treated as separate species - Myrtle Warbler, Audobons Warbler, Black-fronted Warbler and Goldman's Warbler. The most numerous warbler in North America, it primarily breeds in Canada and Winters in the South-East US and the West Coast.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Parulidae
Genus: Setophaga
SUBSPECIES: S. c. coronata, S. c. audoboni, S. c. nigrifons, S. c. goldmani

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA -Breeding migrant across South East Canada.
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Seen in Yukon

UNITED STATES - Breeds in North East Lower 48 and Alaska and Winters in Southern States 
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Minnesota and Alaska

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

.

Northern Yellow Warbler (Setophaga aestivia)

OTHER NAMES: American Yellow Warbler
Latin Etymology: Setophaga ("moth eating") aestivia ("summery")

 

Adult Northern Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) at Buffalo Creek State Park, Minnesota, USA - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: Setophaga aestivia aestiva
Weight: 7-25g  /  Length: 10-18cm  /  Wingspan: 16-22cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A small but extremely adaptable species of warbler whose range goes into the Arctic Circle at it's most Northerly while migrating to Central and South America. It was until 2025 considered to be part of the same species as the now split Mangrove Yellow Warbler.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Parulidae
Genus: Setophaga
SUBSPECIES: S. a. rubiginosa, S. a. banksi, S. a. parkesi, S. a. amnicola, S. a. aestiva, S. a. morcomi, S. a. brewsteri, S. a. sonorana. S. a. dugesi

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA -Breeds throughout most of Canda
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Seen at Writing-on-Stone NP

UNITED STATES - Breeding migrant in the upper 2/3 of the Lower 48 and through much of Alaska,
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Fairly common throughout in appropriate habitat

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

.

Marsh Warbler (Acrocephalus palustris)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Acrocephalus ("topmost head") palustris ("loving marshes") 

Adult Marsh Warbler (Acrocephalus palustris) at Branston Gravel Pits, Staffordshire - May 2024

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 11-15g  /  Length: 13-15cm  /  Wingspan: 18-21cm
UK RED LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Like the Savi's Warbler, the Marsh Warbler is a small, brown, reedbed species for which the UK is the very last fringe of it's range, with only a tiny precarious handful of pairs still breeding in the country. Superficially similar to reed warblers, they differ subtly in plumage, but more conspicuusly in song where they incorporate a spectacular range of mimicry, with an average of 75 species by each individual! This also frequently includes the songs of African species from their Summer range, bringing songs to a European soundscape seen a continent away!

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Acrocephalidae
Genus: Acrocephalus
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A passage migrant and fringe breeding species (1-3 pairs)
 - Vagrant seen at Branston Gravel Pits in May 2024 .

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

.

Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Acrocephalus ("topmost head") arundinaceus ("like a reed") 

Adult male Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) at RSPB Ouse Fen, Cambridgeshure - May 2024

Featured Subspecies: Acrocephalus arundinaceus arundinaceus
Weight: 22-38g/  /  Length: 16-21cm  /  Wingspan: 25-30cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A huge warbler distinct on its size alone, more resembling a thrush in size and also the vibe of it's song. A species of reedbeds of Europe and Central Asia, migrating in Winter to Sub-Saharan Africa.  Closely related to the Oriental and Basra Reed Warblers, of which the former was formerly considered a subspecies, though it is a slightly larger bird than either of those species. Normally not found in Britain, this individual was singing at Ouse Fen in May 2024. 

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Acrocephalidae
Genus: Acrocephalus
SUBSPECIES: A. a. arundinaceus, A. a. zarudnyi

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A regular vagrant
 - A vagrant seen at RSPB Ouse Fen in May 2024 .

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

.

Savi's Warbler (Locustella luscinioides)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Locustella ("small locust") luscinioides ("resembles nightingale")

Alex Holt · Savi's Warbler

Recording of Adult Male Savi's Warbler (Locustella luscinioides) at Rutland Water, Rutland - May 2024

Featured Subspecies: Locustella luscinioides luscinioides
Weight: 14g  /  Length: 14cm  /  Wingspan: 15-20cm
UK RED LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A visually plain warbler of European readbeds - it makes a distinctive reeling like noise similar to a grasshopper warbler, but lower pitched and with a flatter tone.  Like their cousin they are secretive and difficult birds to locate even when you can hear them, and even when showing, may not be doing so for long! I saw them at Arrocampo in Spain in 2016 but they would only be visible for moments, while my two UK birds to date have both been at Rutland and neither seen, only heard from deep in the reedbeds.

Related Species:
ORDER: Passeriformes
FAMILY: Locustellidae
GENUS: Locustella
SUBSPECIES: L. l. luscinioides, L. l. sarmatica, L. l. fusca

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A fringe breeding species (1-3 pairs) and passage migrant
 - Heard at Rutland Water in  May 2024

SPAIN - Spanish - Buscarla Unicolor - 

 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: Numerous glimpsed at Arrocampo

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

.

Wood Warbler (Phylloscopus sibilatrix)

OTHER NAMES: Wood-wren
Latin Etymology:  Phylloscopus ("leaf seaker") sibilatrix ("whistler")

Adult Wood Warbler (Phylloscopus sibilatrix) at Wyre Forest, Worcestershire - May 2023

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 6.5-15g  /  Length: 11-12.5cm  /  Wingspan: 19.5-24cm
UK RED LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The largest and most colourful of Britain's Phylloscopus warblers, it is also the scarcest and hardest to see. Unlike the more adaptable chiffchaff and willow warbler it is found solely in Old Growth forests, particularly in Wales and Scotland, though there are also some parts of England where it is found. It arrives in late April and will set up territories where it can often be identified by it's distinctive call, which has been described as a coin spinning on marble.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Phylloscopidae
Genus: Phylloscopus
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A Summer migrant to Old Growth Forests (6500 males)
 - Seen at Wyre Forest, .

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

.

Orange-crowned Warbler (Leiothlypis celata)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Leiothlypis ("plain unknown warbler") celata ("secret")

Immature Orange-crowned Warbler (Leiothlypis celata) at Anchorage, Alaska - August 2024

Featured Subspecies: Unclear
Weight: 9g  /  Length: 12-13cm  /  Wingspan: 18cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Despite the rather opulant sounding name, the namesake orange crown of this warbler is actually fairly difficult to see as it is usually hidden beneath the crest - in many ways this species is actually more closely resembling a drab old-world  phylloscopid warbler than the other parulid warblers we saw on the trip.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Parulidae
Genus: Leiothlypis
SUBSPECIES: L. c. celata, L. c. lutescens, L. orestera, L. c. sordida

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA -Present largely everywhere but the High Tundra and Great Plains
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Seen in Alberta, British Columbia and Yukon

UNITED STATES 
Breeds in the West including Alaska, Winters in South, Resident in thin strip along Pacific Coast
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at  San Francisco 

 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Alaska

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

.