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Lucy's Warbler
Oreothlypis luciae
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G5
State (S-rank): S2S3B
External links
General information
Distribution: The Lucy's warbler, Vermivora luciae, breeds in northern Mexico and in the southwestern deserts of the United States. It winters in western Mexico (Ehrlich et al. 1988). In Utah it occurs in the southern most portion of the state, associated with mesquite and desert habitats, but it can also be found in foothills in stream side cottonwoods and willows.
Ecology: The Lucy's warbler is one of the only two warblers in North America that breeds in cavities (Ehrlich et al. 1988; Stokes 1996; USDA 1991). Natural cavities (usually in mesquite) are used for nesting sites, as are abandoned woodpecker holes, loose bark, and deserted verdin nests (ibid.). The nest is generally 1.5 - 1.8 m (5 - 6 ft) above the ground but can range from 0.3 to 4.5 m (1 - 15 ft) above the ground (USDA 1991). Occasionally the Lucy's warbler nests in holes in banks, yuccas, willows, sycamores, and elderberries (Ehrlich et al. 1988; USDA 1991). The nest is made of coarse materials such as weeds, bark strips, and mesquite leaf stems and is lined with finer materials (Ehrlich et al. 1988). In Utah, sycamores and elderberries are used less frequently due to less availability.
Breeding ecology is largely unknown (Ehrlich et al. 1988; Stokes 1996). Eggs may be 3-7 (Stokes 1996) or 4-5 (Ehrlich et al. 1988) that are white to creamy with brown or red-brown spots. The pair is monogamous (ibid.). The Lucy's warbler is an early spring migrant that is active and flicks its tail frequently (Stokes 1996). It is occasionally a cowbird host (Ehrlich et al. 1988).
The diet of the Lucy's warbler consists of insects found on mesquite, shrubs, and desert vegetation (Stokes 1996). It forages for insects at the middle heights in mesquite, seldom foraging in the treetops or near the ground (USDA 1991).
Habitat Requirements: Habitat requirements for the Lucy's warbler are trees with cavities in which to build nests. Mesquite, cottonwood, or willow trees are needed for cavities, and act as substrates for verdin nests, which are subsequently used by Lucy's warblers.
Species range
BREEDING: southeastern California, southern Nevada, Utah, southwestern Colorado (accidental, or formerly) south to northeastern Baja California, southern Arizona and northern Sonora, and east to extreme western Texas. NON-BREEDING: western Mexico, from Jalisco south to Guerrero (AOU 1983) and sparingly north to southern Sinaloa and Durango.
Migration
Arrives in Arizona by late March (Terres 1980).
Habitat
BREEDING: Deserts, mesquite along streams, riparian woodlands (willows and cottonwoods). Nests in tree cavity, behind bark, in abandoned woodpecker hole or verdin nest. NON-BREEDING: During migration and winter: dry washes, riparian forest, and thorn forest.
Food habits
Feeds primarily on insects. Forages in foliage and flowers, in mesquites and other desert vegetation.
Ecology
Eggs/young preyed on by lizards, snakes, woodrats, and Gila woodpeckers.
Reproductive characteristics
Clutch size 3-7 (usually 4-5) (Harrison 1978). Female may desert nest if disturbed. Female has been observed doing most of the work of nest building. Possibly 2 broods/season (Bureau of Land Management, no date).
References
- Text modified from: Parrish, J. R., F. P. Howe, and R. E. Norvell. 1999. Utah Partners in Flight draft conservation strategy. UDWR publication number 99-40. Utah Partners in Flight Program, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Salt Lake City.
