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BLUE-WINGED WARBLER Vermivora cyanoptera (pinus) 11.5–12cm. Winter
migrant to humid forest and edge, second growth; more varied habitats in
migration. Low to high, often in dead-leaf clusters and vine tangles; joins mixed
flocks. Distinctive, with dark lores, white wingbars on blue-gray wings, white tail
flashes. Hybrids with Golden-winged Warbler rarely reported, show intermediate
characters. SOUNDS: High, slightly buzzy tssi, often doubled. STATUS: Uncommon
Sep–Apr on Caribbean slope, mainly below 1500m; rare in winter on Pacific
slope. (Breeds e. N America, winters Mexico to Panama.)
GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER Vermivora chrysoptera 11.5–12cm. Winter
migrant to humid forest and edge; more varied habitats in migration, from beach
scrub to semi-open areas with taller trees. Mainly at mid–upper levels, in dead-
leaf clusters and vine tangles; joins mixed flocks. Distinctive, with dark mask and
throat, yellow wingbars; cf. hybrids with Blue-winged Warbler. SOUNDS: High,
slightly buzzy tssi, often doubled; not readily told from Blue-winged call.
STATUS: Fairly common to uncommon Sep–Apr on both slopes, locally to
2400m, most numerous in foothills; more widespread in migration but rare in
nw. Pacific lowlands. (Breeds e. N America, winters Mexico to nw. S America.)
NORTHERN PARULA Setophaga americana 10–11cm. Rare winter migrant to varied wooded habitats,
semi-open areas with hedgerows and taller trees, mangroves. Mainly at mid–upper levels, often holds tail
cocked. Told from Tropical Parula by more extensive gray-blue hood with distinct white eye-arcs, less
extensive yellow on underparts; adult male has slaty breast band. Imm. male and adult female resemble
strongly marked imm. female, sometimes with partial breast band. SOUNDS: Sharp stik. STATUS: Rare late
Oct–Apr on both slopes and in Central Valley; mainly below 1200m, with most records from Caribbean
slope. (Breeds e. N America, winters mainly Mexico and Caribbean.)
TROPICAL PARULA Setophaga pitiayumi 10–11cm. Humid foothill and
highland forest, adjacent semi-open areas with taller trees; especially in areas
with Spanish moss (Tillandsia spp.). Mainly at mid–upper levels; at times joins
mixed flocks. Distinctive, with mostly deep blue upperparts, rich yellow
underparts, weak white wingbar; lacks white eye-arcs of drabber Northern
Parula. Male has more extensive black mask than female, richer orange suffusion
to breast. SOUNDS: Sharp stik, like Northern Parula. Song a variable, high rapid
twittering and chipping, at times ending with 1–2 short trills, 1.5–3 secs.
STATUS: Fairly common to common on both slopes, mainly 900–2400m on
Pacific slope, 600–1800m on Caribbean slope; rarely descends lower in winter.
(Mexico to S America.)
FLAME-THROATED WARBLER Oreothlypis gutturalis 11.5–12.5cm. Stunning
resident of highland oak forest, adjacent semi-open areas. Mainly at mid–upper
levels, often foraging actively in canopy; joins mixed flocks. Adult male has
flame-orange throat; also note lack of white wingbars; female and imm. average
duller, often with yellowish throat but same unique plumage pattern; juv.
plumage held briefly, much duller. SOUNDS: Song a rough, slurred, rather
insect-like buzz, ending emphatically, 1–1.5 secs, zzzzzhhh’ every 1–3 secs, at
times preceded by a rapid ringing twitter, chi-chi-chi-chi-chi-zzzzzhhee, and
variations, 1.5–2 secs. Call a high thin sik, at times in short series. STATUS: Fairly
common to common, mainly 1800m to timberline; occasionally wanders down to 1400m. (Costa Rica
to w. Panama.)
