Introducing the Bahama Warbler
In addition to Bahama Warbler, Yellow-throated Warblers (Setophaga dominica) also occur in the Bahamas. Accurately separating these two species in the field is suddenly more relevant to us all, and the article below provides some guidance. Please note especially the sections on range (Yellow-throated Warbler is actually more widespread in the Bahamas) and habitat (pinewoods only for Bahama Warbler), which should be used in conjunction with the
plumage features for any identification.
Range: The Bahama Warbler is an uncommon to fairly common permanent resident only in the pinewoods on two Northern Bahama Islands: Grand Bahama and Abaco. They have not been recorded outside this pinewoods habitat nor any other Bahama Island. You can see their world range on the eBird range map; zoom in to see specifics of any given record.
Yellow-throated Warbler is a fairly common migrant and winter visitor from July to April throughout the Bahamas, including Grand Bahama and Abaco. See its range map here and
zoom in to the Bahamas to see its range there (and please, submit your sightings to help fill in records from other Bahama Islands!)
Habitat: While Bahama Warbler is restricted to the pinewoods, Yellow-throated Warblers occur not only in pinewoods but also various other habitats from hardwood areas (called coppice in the region) to exotic plantings and shrubs and trees (especially coconut palms) around settled areas.
Behavior: Feeding behavior is mostly identical in that both species forage along higher branches and among pine needles of the pinewoods occasionally dropping down to the shrubs of the understory. Unlike Yellow-throated Warbler, the Bahama Warbler also spends much of its time creeping up and down trunks of pine trees probing under the bark for insects with a long bill that is well adapted for this behavior. Other warblers in the region, including Olive-capped, Pine and Yellow-throated (winter), sometimes feed along trunks, but none do so as extensively as Bahama Warblers.
Plumage: Physically both species look similar but there are some key differences notably to the face and the underparts. Compared to Yellow-throated Warbler, the Bahama Warbler has a longer bill (and even longer bills on some birds on Abaco), narrower white supercilium behind the eye and less of a white area behind the black cheek. This effect gives the Bahama Warbler less of a contrasty black and white facial pattern. The underparts of the Bahama Warbler are bright yellow from the throat through the breast with a yellow wash on the abdomen blending into a whitish vent and undertail coverts. The yellow also blends into the streaks at the sides of the breast. For Yellow-throated Warbler the underparts are quite different with a bright yellow throat and upper breast that contrast sharply with white underparts. The yellow does not extend into the broad streaks along the sides of the breast.
Bahama Warbler. Same as above but note how the yellow extends into the the streaks at the sides of the breast.
Bahama Warbler. In this side view, note the brownish wash to the mantle and flanks. It is not known if this trait is related to age or sex or both.
Yellow-throated Warbler. Note shorter bill, larger white patch behind black cheek and much less yellow to the underparts.
Yellow-throated Warbler. From below, the yellow throat and upper breast are well delineated from the white underparts and the yellow does not extend into the streaks along the sides of the breast.
Vocalizations: The song of the Bahama Warbler is diagnostic and very easily recognized in the field. Whereas the Yellow-throated Warbler (which will sing while wintering in the Bahamas) has a descending pitch with successive notes, as does the Olive-capped Warbler also present on Grand Bahama and Abaco (these two songs are surprisingly similar), the Bahama Warbler’s song has successive notes that increase in pitch. During much of the year, you will find the Bahama Warbler more easily by its beautiful song than anything else.
Compare the songs here:
Chip notes are similar between the two species.
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Photographs and Contribution by Bruce Hallett