Rufous-capped Warbler (Basileuterus rufifrons), Florida Canyon, Pima County

This Rufous-capped Warbler was photographed by J. Duerr on 25 May 2017

There are 27 accepted records of Rufous-capped Warbler for Arizona, including observations of multiple birds and nesting attempts, and numerous pending reports. Multiple individuals have been reported in this canyon since 2008 raising the possibility that they have been continuously present. Nesting has been confirmed previously.

This is the first juvenile Rufous-capped Warbler documented on the AZFO Photo Pages. It lacks the rufous crown and cheek, and bright yellow throat and upper breast that make adults so distinctive. However, it does show the long, slightly cocked tail, and bold white supercilium typical of this species. Both characteristics make this bird superficially similar to a Bewick's Wren, but the stout warbler bill on this bird is unlike a wren.

25 May 2017, photo by J. Duerr

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