Hermit Warbler

Setophaga occidentalis

The Hermit Warblers are shy birds that dwell in open coniferous forests. Their summer breeding range is most of the northwest coast of Washington, Oregon and northern California. They also breed in the mountains of southern California. During winter, these birds migrate south and stay from central Mexico through Central America.

In 2011, scientists who study genetics shook up the genus of nearly every new world warbler species. They abandoned the genus Dendroica (wood warbler), replacing it with Setophaga (moth eater). Gone now is Dendroica occidentalis. Say hello to Setophaga occidentalis!

Today, science regards the Hermit Warbler as monotypic (i.e. there are no subspecies).

I once ran into Hermit Warblers while crossing the Siskiyou Mountains in southern Oregon, but the birds there stayed so high in the canopy, I didn’t attempt taking any pictures. I was familiar with this species from the time I spent in the Santa Rosa Mountains of Riverside County (southern California). I met quite a few unfamiliar bird species at 7500 feet on that desert sky island.

Range Map for Hermit Warbler
Range Map

14 Photos

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