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MAGNOLIA WARBLER Setophaga magnolia 11.5–12.5cm. Winter migrant to
lowland forest and woodland, second growth, plantations. Forages low to high;
often with mixed flocks. Fairly active, fluttering in foliage, tail often slightly
fanned to show diagnostic pattern on underside: white base with broad black
tip. Distinctive: note tail pattern, call note, striking difference between nonbr.
and breeding plumages. SOUNDS: High, nasal, slightly burry iehh, distinct from
any other warbler. STATUS: Uncommon to scarce Oct–Apr on both slopes,
locally to 1500m; a few from mid-Sep and into mid-May; rare on s. Pacific
slope. (Breeds N America, winters Mexico to Panama.)
CAPE MAY WARBLER Setophaga tigrina 11.5–12.5cm. Rare winter migrant to woodland and edge,
ornamental gardens, coconut groves. Forages low to high; often around flowering trees and bushes, where
territorial. In all plumages note sharply pointed bill, rather compact shape, very fine dark streaking below.
Male distinctive (duller in winter), with variable rusty cheek patch, white wing panel; female notably
drab, note yellowish neck sides and rump. SOUNDS: Very high, thin, slightly wiry ti or tsi; lacks a strong
chip call. STATUS: Very rare to rare Oct–Apr; scattered records from both slopes and Central Valley, mainly
below 1500m. (Breeds n. N America, winters Caribbean region.)
CANADA WARBLER Cardellina canadensis 12–13cm. Transient migrant in
varied forest and woodland habitats. At low to mid-levels, often in shady under
story where hops and flutters, tail frequently held cocked. Distinctive, with
yellow spectacles, dark necklace, plain gray upperparts, no white undertail
patches. SOUNDS: Relatively low, slightly smacking tchik. STATUS: Fairly common
to uncommon transient Sep–Oct on both slopes, locally to 1800m, and rare
locally through winter; uncommon late Mar to mid-May, mainly on Caribbean
slope. (Breeds N America, winters S America, rarely n. to Costa Rica.)
PRAIRIE WARBLER Setophaga discolor 11–12cm. Rare winter migrant to second growth, gardens,
overgrown fields with shrubby bushes, beach scrub. At low to mid-levels; frequently dips tail while
hopping around. All plumages have distinctive face pattern, strongest on adult male, with broad dark
crescent under eye setting off wide yellow eye-arcs; also note weak pale wingbars, tail-dipping behavior.
SOUNDS: High, sharp, slightly smacking tchik. STATUS: Very rare Oct to mid-Apr; scattered records mainly
in lowlands on both slopes. (Breeds e. N America, winters Caribbean region.)
PALM WARBLER Setophaga palmarum 11.5–12.5cm. Rare winter migrant to open beach scrub, gardens,
lawns, adjacent scrubby woodland. On or near ground, sometimes associating with Myrtle Warbler and
seedeaters; hops with near-constant pumping of tail and might better be called ‘Pipit Warbler.’ Distinctive,
with bold pale eyebrow, streaky underparts, yellow undertail coverts, dull yellowish rump, distal white
undertail patches. Nonbr. adult often has some rusty in cap. SOUNDS: High sharp chik with slight metallic
ring. STATUS: Rare and sporadic mid-Oct to early Apr on both slopes, mainly below 1200m; most regular
in Caribbean coastal lowlands. (Breeds n. N America, winters se. US to Caribbean region.)
