Friday's Foto

Shy and elusive, the Mourning Warbler is more often found through it's loud, ringing "teedle-teedle, turtle-turtle" musical song emanating from within thickets in the forest understory. Listen:



This medium-sized wood-warbler acquired its common name from the dark hood that reminded early ornithologists of the garb worn by those in mourning. Spending most of their time near the ground, they primarily glean insects from the branches of shrubs and small trees. An estimated 75% of the species' North American population breeds within the Canada's boreal forest.

The IUCN lists their conservation status as "Least Concern".

Their scientific name, Geothlypis philadelphia, means ground warbler from Philadelphia, the city where Alexander Wilson discovered the bird in 1810.