Prairie Warbler
Setophaga discolor
Despite its name, the Prairie Warbler is rarely found in actual prairies, preferring the tangled regrowth of abandoned fields.
- Scientific name
- Setophaga discolor
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Passeriformes › Parulidae › Setophaga
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- decreasing
- Biome
- grassland
- Habitat
- Early successional scrub, overgrown fields, pine barrens, and forest edges.
- Diet
- Mainly insects like caterpillars, flies, and beetles, as well as spiders.
- Range
- Eastern United States, West Indies, Central America
- Size
- Length: 12cm; Wingspan: 18cm; Weight: 8g
- Lifespan
- 2-5 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat loss due to forest maturation, urban development, and brood parasitism by cowbirds.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. This bird is shy and poses no threat to humans. Observe from a distance to avoid disturbing nests, which are often built low to the ground. If an injured bird is found, use a towel to gently place it in a ventilated box and call a local wildlife rehabilitator.
The prairie warbler ( Setophaga discolor ) is a small songbird of the New World warbler family.
Photo: Fyn Kynd, CC-BY-SA, via iNaturalist
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