photo by Phil Swanson

Wilsonia citrina
L SIZE

Song or calls:
Variable song is loud, musical, whistled “ta-wit ta-wit ta-wit tee-yo.”

Description: Tail is white when seen from below; seen from above, white outer tail feathers are conspicuous when tail is flicked open. Male has extensive black hood; broad yellow eye mask; greenish-olive above; and yellow below. Female shows blackish or olive crown and sides of neck; sometimes has black throat or black spots on breast.

Behavior: Generally stays hidden in dense undergrowth and low branches.

Habitat: Migrants found in woodlands, city parks, and sometimes residential areas. Breeding birds are associated with moist, mature forests having considerable undergrowth.

Where in Nebraska: Rare spring and fall migrant in eastern Nebraska. Reported as far west as Cherry and Dawes Counties. Most often seen in Douglas, Sarpy, Lancaster, and Adams Counties.

Fun Facts: Hooded Warbler males and females use different habitats on their wintering grounds. Males in mature forests and females in scrubbier more seasonally flooded forests.

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