On 21 November an ABA Code-4 Golden-crowned Warbler (Basileuterus culicivorus) was seen briefly at the National Butterfly Center in Mission, Texas. On the 22nd the warbler was photographed at the same location.
Golden-crowned Warbler is a resident from central Nuevo León and Nayarit, Mexico, south to northern Argentina. In addition to one record from New Mexico, Roosevelt County, 8-10 May 2004, the majority of the other accepted records come from the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas (ABA Checklist, Seventh Edition, Pranty et al.).
Thirteen subspecies are recognized (Handbook of the Birds of the World, Volume 15), B. c. brasierii the subspecies found in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. The majority of the subspecies are sedentary and most occur in submontane forest and edge along with well developed second growth. Subspecies B. c. brasierii also occurs in gallery forest. They forage mainly in the undergrowth making them difficult to observe. They are fairly common to abundant throughout their range. They have been found to hybridize in southern Brazil with White-bellied Warbler while forming a superspecies with Three-banded Warbler (Basileuterus trifasciatus).
This bird was seen by Phil Kelly on 11/20, alerted to it I had a glimpse of it. I looked for it 11/21 unsuccessfully and returned to get photos on 11/22. It may have been seen 11/18 but not recognized. Glad it is staying around.
Posted by: Mary Gustafson | December 08, 2011 at 09:47 PM