Orange-crowned Warbler

Status Rare transient, very rare in winter. The first known occurrence was of a bird that competed for suet on a food tray at the home of Mrs. A.D.M. Curry in Halifax between 4 January and 8 February 1951, when it was found dead under the tray. There have been at least 53 other reports since then, mostly of single birds, but occasionally two to six birds have been seen daily in the late fall on our southwestern islands or in the Halifax area. Only 17 birds, all singles, have been reported for spring, between 18 April and 22 June (the latest was on Sable Island, where there have been several June sightings). The majority have occurred as fall migrants. Although first fall sightings are routine in September (average 4 October, earliest 30 August), they have been regularly reported into November and December. None survived at feeders as late as the above-mentioned bird in 1951.

Remarks The Orange-crowned Warbler most resembles the fall Tennessee Warbler, which is similarly yellowish below but has white undertail coverts and lacks any hint of streaking on its breast and sides.

The bird collected in 1951 was assigned to the subspecies Vermivora celata celata by W. Earl Godfrey. The species nests from Alaska across Canada to southern Labrador and occasionally winters at feeders north to New England.