photo by Phil Swanson

Oporornis tolmiei
L 5 1/4″ (13 cm).

Song or calls:
Sharp “tik.” Song is buzzy trill ending in downslur: “tree tree tree tree sweet sweet!.”

Description: Olive-green above; yellow below; bold white broken eye ring. Male has slate gray hood and bib. Female has duller gray hood and bib. Immatures have brownish-gray hood and gray throat, and fairly distinct breast band above yellow belly.

Behavior: Nests on the ground; hops rather than walks.

Habitat: Migrants found in dense undergrowth near streams, hillside brush, and in dense stands of weeds such as thistle and sunflowers.

Where in Nebraska: Rare spring and fall migrant in western Nebraska. Most of records are from Panhandle. Reported as far east as Platte County.

Fun Facts: They generally migrate at night.

(click image for larger view)