Nashville or Orange-crowned Warbler? Nevada July 2024 (1 Viewer)

[Birds4Kathy]

This morning we went birding in the Foothills of the Sierras at Galena Creek County Park. While there we observed several warblers. They were predominantly yellow with darker color on the backside and yellow eye rings. I managed to take a few photos and have enclosed the best one. I presume the scraggly coloration is because the bird was molting. The two warblers most consistent with this description that are reported for this region are the Nashville Warbler and the Orange-crowned Warbler. I think it is probably an Orange-crowned Warbler but would appreciate a second opinion. Thanks for your help! Kathy

 

[Mendobirder]

Nice photo. This bird is too drab for a Nashville and it lacks the bold, complete eye-ring that Nashville always shows, even in juveniles. Although the eye-line is not prominent, the faint eye ring is broken at the back, as in Orange-crowned. The tail pattern is also consistent with Orange-crowned: longish gray tail feathers, yellow undertail coverts that don't extend far.
It's about to be Difficult Fall Warbler season, so this is a nice warmup. I think we can safely call it an Orange-crowned.

Look through your photos and see if you have any birds with gray heads and prominent, complete eye-rings. Those would be Nashvilles.

 

[Birds4Kathy]

Thanks for the very informative reply! I plan to head back to the area tomorrow and look for the features you mentioned. Happy Birding! Kathy