Daily Bird 2024: Worm-eating Warbler

Worm-eating Warbler, photographed by Giles Carter.

Worm-eating Warbler
Helmitheros vermivorum

Today’s Daily Bird was revised from the original, written by Chris Wood. Chris is a participant in the 2024 Migration Magic Birdathon. Thank you, Chris!

You’re likely to find Worm-eating Warblers in numerous locations during May migration, making it a good species to add to your Migration Magic Birdathon checklist.

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Connecticut Audubon staffers Deb Eccleston and Stefan Martin saw them at our Birdcraft Sanctuary in Fairfield for several days in a row this month. Seven were reported from Nehantic State Forest in Lyme just yesterday and two days ago a birder reported 13 at West Rock Ridge State Park in New Haven.

Andy Griswold, our EcoTravel director, reports: “Nehantic is likely the greatest density of nesting Worm-eating Warbler in the state, the preferred habitat in this area being Mountain Laurel covered hillsides. “

When searching for Worm-eating Warbler, scan the forest understory — you may spot one picking at insects and larvae from hanging dead leaves,

Worm-eating Warbler sports a warm, brown plumage with bold black stripes on its head. As Chris Wood described it in his original Bird Finder, “Although Worm-eating Warblers bear some resemblance to the waterthrushes and to Swainson’s Warbler, they are in a separate genus, Helmitheros — in fact the sole representative of that genus. Once seen well, they are unlikely to be confused with any other expected species in Connecticut.”

Listen for its song, a rapid, insect-like trill. It might resemble that of a Chipping Sparrow or Pine Warbler, although it has a slightly faster pace and quality.

The scientific name, Helmitheros vermivorum, seems to have been created by the Department of Redundancy Department: Helmitheros means “worm hunter” and vermivorum means “worm eater” — the worm-hunting worm eater.