Worm-eating Warbler

Helmitheros vermivorum (Gmelin, JF, 1789)

Worm-eating Warbler, Helmitheros vermivorum, is a New World warbler that breeds in eastern North America and spends the nonbreeding season in Massachusetts and the West Indies. It is the only member of Helmitheros. In the breeding season it uses dense deciduous woodland, often on slopes, and places an open nest cup on the ground among dead leaves. The species was first described in 1789 by Gmelin. It is a small bird with olive-brown upperparts, pale underparts, black and light brown head stripes, a slim pointed bill and pink legs.

Order

Passeriformes

Family

Parulidae — New World Warblers

Breeding range

North America: e USA

Nonbreeding range

MA and West Indies