Vitelline warbler (Dendroica vitellina)

Description

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Vitelline warbler fact file

• Description
• Biology
• Range
• Habitat
• Status
• Threats
• Conservation
• Find out more
• Glossary
• References
• Print factsheet

Vitelline warbler description

The vitelline warbler (Dendroica vitellina) is a rare songbird found only on the Cayman Islands and the Swan Islands in the western Caribbean. The taxonomy of this species has been the subject of some debate, as it is extremely similar in body size, plumage colour and facial markings to the prairie warbler (Dendroica discolor), a close relative ⁽²⁾. 

Like the prairie warbler, the vitelline warbler has olive-green upperparts and entirely yellow underparts, with some white on the tail, and middle wing-coverts which are broadly tipped with yellow ^{(3) (4)}. There is also a yellow stripe above the eye that is bordered by a black stripe below. The key features in distinguishing the vitelline warbler from the prairie warbler are that the vitelline warbler lacks any chestnut on the back or streaking on the underparts, and its facial markings tend to be fainter ⁽³⁾. 

The female vitelline warbler is paler than the male, and the juvenile has very little yellow. The vitelline warbler may be further identified by its call, which is a wheezy “Zu-zu-zweee” or “Zu-zu-zwee-zu” ⁽³⁾.

Vitelline warbler biology

A little-studied species, there is very little information available on the biology or behaviour of the vitelline warbler. However, most warblers in the family Parulidae, also known as the New World warblers, feed largely on insects, with warblers of the genus Dendroica preferring caterpillars, particularly during the breeding season. New World warblers use a variety of foraging strategies to catch prey, often moving rapidly through the foliage of bushes or trees to glean insects off leaves and stems ⁽⁷⁾. 

During the breeding season, New World warblers tend to be fiercely territorial, with non-migratory species such as the vitelline warbler defending territories from other warblers all year round. Monogamous pairs are typically formed, but the female may mate with several males in a single breeding season. The female does most of the nest construction and incubation of the eggs, but both adults feed the nestlings and fledglings ⁽⁷⁾.

Vitelline warbler range

With a total range of less than 270 square kilometres, the vitelline warbler is found only on the Cayman Islands and the Swan Islands in the western Caribbean ⁽⁵⁾. It is the only breeding passerine found on the Swan Islands ⁽⁶⁾. 

Three subspecies of the vitelline warbler are currently recognised. Dendroica vitellina vitellina is found on Grand Cayman, Dendroica vitellina crawfordi occurs on Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, and Dendroica vitellina nelsoni is found on the Swan Islands ⁽⁵⁾.

Vitelline warbler habitat

The vitelline warbler is most common in low scrubby woodland, but is also found in arid mixed woodland, clearings, coastal scrub and thickets, mangroves, and even urban areas ^{(2) (5)}.

Vitelline warbler status

The vitelline warbler is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List ⁽¹⁾. 

Vitelline warbler threats

Although the vitelline warbler is thought to be fairly common, it has an extremely small range. Furthermore, only half of this area contains suitable habitat for this species. The vitelline warbler is therefore at risk from habitat degradation and loss, with proposed habitat conversion and land development threatening populations on the Cayman Islands ⁽⁵⁾. 

It is also vulnerable to the destructive effects of hurricanes, which are a frequent occurrence in the Caribbean region. Hurricanes can cause serious damage to habitats used by birds, such as by felling trees and destroying mangroves ⁽²⁾.

Vitelline warbler conservation

The vitelline warbler has not been the target of any known conservation measures. However, it is afforded a degree of protection in a number of reserves, including the Salina and Mastic Reserves in the Cayman Islands. As the vitelline warbler is in decline, future conservation measures for this species may include monitoring its numbers ⁽⁵⁾.

ARKive is supported by OTEP, a joint programme of funding from the UK FCO and DFID which provides support to address priority environmental issues in the Overseas Territories, and Defra

Find out more

More information on conservation on the Cayman Islands:

• Cayman Islands National Trust:
  http://www.nationaltrust.org.ky/index.html

More information on the vitelline warbler and other bird species:

• BirdLife International:
  http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=9116&m=0

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Glossary

Coverts

Small feathers concealing the bases of larger flight feathers, usually on the wings or tail.

Genus

A category used in taxonomy, which is below ‘family’ and above ‘species’. A genus tends to contain species that have characteristics in common. The genus forms the first part of a ‘binomial’ Latin species name; the second part is the specific name.

Incubation

The act of incubating eggs, that is, keeping them warm so that development is possible.

Monogamous

Having only one mate during a breeding season, or throughout the breeding life of a pair.

Passerines

A group of more than 5,000 species of small to medium-sized birds which have widely varied plumage and shape. They all have three toes pointing forward and one directed backward which assists with perching, and are sometimes known as perching birds or song birds.

Subspecies

A population usually restricted to a geographical area that differs from other populations of the same species, but not to the extent of being classified as a separate species.

Taxonomy

The science of classifying organisms, grouping together animals which share common features and are thought to have a common ancestor.

Territorial

Describes an animal, a pair of animals or a colony that occupies and defends an area.

Territory

An area occupied and defended by an animal, a pair of animals or a colony.

References

1. IUCN Red List (February, 2011)
   http://www.iucnredlist.org/
2. Markland, H.M. and Lovette, I.J. (2005) Phylogenetic affinities and inter-island differentiation in the Vitelline Warbler Dendroica vitellina, a West Indian endemic. Ibis, 147: 764-771.
3. Bond, J. (1993) Birds of the West Indies. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Boston, Massachusetts.
4. Raffaele, H.A., Wiley, J., Garrido, O., Keith, A. and Raffaele, J. (2003) Birds of the West Indies. Princeton University Press, New Jersey.
5. BirdLife International (February, 2011)
   http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=9116&m=0
6. Pashley, D.N. (1988) Warblers of the West Indies II: The Western Caribbean. Caribbean Journal of Science, 24: 112-126.
7. Perrins, C. (2009) The Encyclopedia of Birds. Oxford University Press, Oxford.