Introduction
The Hooded Warbler has one of the most boldly contrasting plumage patterns of Virginia’s forest birds. The male’s black cap and throat frame a bright yellow forehead and cheeks, giving the Hooded Warbler a striking and unforgettable appearance reminiscent of a bumblebee. The female also bears a hood, although hers is olive, with a variable dark edge. This species tends to prefer mature deciduous forests where they nest in forest gaps and on forest edges, building a cup nest of fine grasses and bark in shrubby patches (Wilson 2006; Mumme et al. 2023).
Breeding Distribution
Hooded Warblers are found throughout the state, with the highest and most geographically consistent occurrence in heavily forested areas of the Mountains and Valleys region (Figure 1). Accordingly, the likelihood of Hooded Warblers occurring in a block increases as the percentage of forest cover, forest patch size, forest edge habitat, and number of habitat types increase. Although occurrence is more variable in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions, it is higher in areas with greater forest cover. On the other hand, their occurrence is negatively associated with agriculture and developed areas. Thus, Hooded Warbler’s likelihood of occurring in some areas, such the Shenandoah Valley, northern Piedmont region, and southeastern Coastal Plain region, is very low, and they are often nearly absent (Figure 1).
Between the First and Second Atlases (Figures 1 and 2), Hooded Warbler likelihood of occurrence remained mostly the same. However, there were some decreases in probable occurrence in the northern Piedmont region and around the greater Richmond area. Additionally, there were some small areas of potential decrease in various developed areas across the state (Figure 3). These decreases near major urban areas likely result from forest habitat being lost to development.
Figure 1: Hooded Warbler breeding distribution based on probability of occurrence (Second Atlas, 2016–2020). This map indicates the probability that this species will occur in an Atlas block (an approximately 10 mi2 [26 km2] survey unit) based on environmental (including habitat) factors and after adjusting for the probability of detection (variation in survey effort among blocks).
Figure 2: Hooded Warbler breeding distribution based on probability of occurrence (First Atlas, 1985–1989). This map indicates the probability that this species will occur in an Atlas block (an approximately 10 mi2 [26 km2] survey unit) based on environmental (including habitat) factors and after adjusting for the probability of detection (variation in survey effort among blocks). Blocks in white were not surveyed during the First Atlas and were not modeled.
Figure 3: Hooded Warbler change in breeding distribution between Atlases (1985–1989 and 2016–2020) based on probability of occurrence. This map indicates the change in the probability that this species will occur in a block (an approximately 10 mi2 [26 km2] survey unit) between Atlas periods. Blocks with no change (tan) may have constant presence or constant absence. Blocks in white were not surveyed during the First Atlas and were not modeled.
Breeding Evidence
Hooded Warblers were confirmed breeders in 110 blocks and 54 counties and found to be probable breeders in an additional 40 counties (Figure 4). They were observed breeding across the state during both Atlas periods (Figures 4 and 5).
The earliest confirmed breeding behavior was recorded in May, when adults were observed carrying nesting material. However, most breeding behaviors were recorded starting in late May to early June. Breeding was confirmed primarily through observations of adults carrying food (May 27 – July 24), recently fledged young (June 1 – July 25), and adults feeding young (June 4 – July 23) (Figure 6).
For more general information on the breeding habits of this species, please refer to All About Birds.
Figure 4: Hooded Warbler breeding observations from the Second Atlas (2016–2020). The colored boxes illustrate Atlas blocks (approximately 10 mi2 [26 km2] survey units) where the species was detected. The colors show the highest breeding category recorded in a block. The numbers within the colors in the legend correspond to the number of blocks with that breeding evidence category.
Figure 5: Hooded Warbler breeding observations from the First Atlas (1985–1989). The colored boxes illustrate Atlas blocks (approximately 10 mi2 [26 km2] survey units) where the species was detected. The colors show the highest breeding category recorded in a block. The numbers within the colors in the legend correspond to the number of blocks with that breeding evidence category.
Figure 6: Hooded Warbler phenology: confirmed breeding codes. This graph shows a timeline of confirmed breeding behaviors. Tick marks represent individual observations of the behavior.
Population Status
Hooded Warbler relative abundance was estimated to be highest in the southwestern portion of the Mountains and Valleys region as well as along the forested ridges of that region and in woodlands of the interior Coastal Plain region (Figure 7). It was lowest in the agricultural valleys of the Mountains and Valleys region and near highly developed areas in all regions. In the Piedmont region, predicted abundance was modest and more variable over small spatial scales.
The total estimated Hooded Warbler population in the state is approximately 407,000 individuals (with a range between 310,000 and 538,000). Based on the North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), the Hooded Warbler population experienced a no significant annual increase or decrease from 1966–2022 in Virginia, and between Atlas periods, its population increased by a nonsignificant 1.11% per year 1987–2018 (Hostetler et al. 2023; Figure 8).
Figure 7: Hooded Warbler relative abundance (Second Atlas, 2016–2020). This map indicates the predicted abundance of this species at a 0.4 mi2 (1 km2) scale based on environmental (including habitat) factors. Abundance values are presented on a relative scale of low to high.
Figure 8: Hooded Warbler population trend for Virginia as estimated by the North American Breeding Bird Survey. The vertical axis shows species abundance; the horizontal axis shows the year. The solid line indicates the estimated population trend; there is a 97.5% probability that the true population trend falls between the dashed lines. The shaded bars indicate the First and Second Atlas periods.
Conservation
Hooded Warblers are common and widespread throughout their range, which has been expanding northward (Mumme et al. 2023). They are not considered a species of special concern, and no specific conservation projects are underway in Virginia.
Interactive Map
The interactive map contains up to six Atlas layers (probability of occurrence for the First and Second Atlases, change in probability of occurrence between Atlases, breeding evidence for the First and Second Atlases, and abundance for the Second Atlas) that can be viewed one at a time. To view an Atlas map layer, mouse over the layer box in the upper left. County lines and physiographic regional boundaries (Mountains and Valleys, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain) can be turned on and off by checking or unchecking the box below the layer box. Within the map window, users can hover on a block to see its value for each layer and pan and zoom to see roads, towns, and other features of interest that are visible beneath a selected layer.
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References
Hostetler, J. A., J. R. Sauer, J. E. Hines, D. Ziolkowski, and M. Lutmerding (2023). The North American breeding bird survey, analysis results 1966–2022. U.S. Geological Survey, Laurel, MD, USA. https://doi.org/10.5066/P9SC7T11.
Mumme, R. L., I. Chiver, L. J. Evans Ogden, and B. J. Stutchbury (2023). Hooded Warbler (Setophaga citrina), version 2.0. In Birds of the World (P. G. Rodewald, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.hoowar.02.
Wilson, M. D. 2006. Avian survey of the Virginia Commonwealth University Rice Center. CCBTR-06-02. Center for Conservation Biology Technical Report Series. College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA, USA. 39 pp.
