Rufous-capped Warbler (Basileuterus rufifrons), Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve, Santa Cruz County

This Rufous-capped Warbler was discovered and photographed by Anne Outlaw on 04 June 2009 in Patagonia.  The bird was along the Creek Trail in the Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Nature Conservancy Preserve. It was moving around in some dead branches under a mesquite tree. After about 30 seconds, it flew across the trail and went out of sight under another mesquite tree. This bird was silent: it neither sang nor called.

A pair of birds was located on 26 June 2009 at this location by Matt Brown.  They were observed nest building the next day and photographed with nesting material by Robin Baxter.  One member of the pair was also photographed by Clifford Cathers. 

Typically a casual visitor to SE AZ, but several nesting records with some individuals and pairs remaining in the same location for months or even years (e.g., French Joe Canyon).

This year has been a good year for this species.  They are now documented in two sites, Florida Canyon and Patgonia, and have also been reported from French Joe Canyon. 

When seen well, identification is pretty straight forward with short black bill, bright yellow throat and breast, reddish crown and auricular region separated by broad white supercilium, black lore and eye-line, and white malar region.

04 June 2009, photo by Anne Outlaw

 

27 June 2009, photo by Robin Baxter
 

28 June photo, by Clifford Cathers

 

All photos are copyrighted© by photographer

Map:

View 2009 Rarity Map in a larger map