Nashville Warbler

 The Nashville warbler was named back in 1811 by Alexander Wilson when he first observed them near Nashville Tennessee. Unfortunately the name does not fit well since the only time that you can find Nashville warblers near Nashville Tennessee is during migration. Nashville warblers breed in Canada and the northern United States. During the winter they migrate to southern Texas, Mexico and Central America.

It is likely the birds that Wilson spotted were adults. In this species the juvenile birds tend to migrate along the coast while the adult birds choose a more inland route. There are two distinct and separate subspecies of Nashville warblers. The ruficapilla subspecies is found in the eastern half of North America. The ridgwayi subspecies breeds along the west coast of North America from northern California to southern British Columbia. This subspecies is a little brighter and used to be considered a separate species, the Calavaras warbler. Both species prefer deciduous forest or bog habitat. They eat insects which they glean from low branches and shrubs.