ODNR Division of Wildlife - A to Z Species Guide - Hooded Warbler

 Hooded Warbler

hooded warbler

Warblers, with their brilliantly colored feathers, are the tiny jewels of Ohio's bird families. They are very active - constantly flittering around. Most are yellow with black-and-white markings. Their plumage varies considerably from spring to fall, juvenile to adult, and male to female. The tail is square, often with white markings. Warblers feed almost entirely on insects gleaned from leaves and twigs with their slender bills. Members of this family abound in any Ohio woodland or brushy area during the spring and fall migration seasons. In spring their buzzlike songs (not warbling) fill the air with a delightful chorus.


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Hooded Warbler
Wilsonia citrina

At-a-Glance

• Incubation: 12 days

• Clutch Size: 3-4 eggs

• Young Fledge: 8-9 days after hatching

• Typical Foods: insects
Description
The male, with his black hood, is readily identified. Note that the female lacks the hood. Both sexes have olive-brown backs, and the face and breast are yellow. The hooded warbler also has two large white tail spots which the male displays by smartly snapping his tail open and shut.

Habitat and Habits
This is an uncommon summer resident in moist, thick woodlands of Ohio. They prefer dense, shady habitat. The song is loud, clear and musical, usually with a slurred ending.

Reproduction and Care of the Young
Three to four creamy-white, brown-spotted eggs are laid in a nest of dead leaves and grass placed low in a shrub.