In many ways, the understated Orange-crowned Warbler is an odd bird among the varied wood-warbler family. One of the more widespread and plentiful species in this group, this bird occupies low, densely vegetated habitats, not tall trees. It is the latest warbler to migrate in fall, and most winter in the southern U.S. and Mexico, farther north than most Neotropical migrants.
Unlike the flashy American Redstart, Hooded Warbler, and Yellow Warbler, the Orange-crowned Warbler is the most understated of warblers. Even its namesake orangish crown patch is rarely seen. Ranging from olive-green to dull olive with grayish tones, it even lacks crisp streaks or wing bars. A common nester across much of the boreal forest belt and the U.S. West, and commonly seen wintering in the Southeast, this bird is a novelty to birders in northeastern and mid-Atlantic states, where it is an uncommon migrant and scarce to rare winter visitor.
How is this bird's scientific name much more apt than its common name?
Read on to find out more: abcbirds.org/bird/orange-crow...