Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca), Gilbert Water Ranch, Maricopa County

This Blackburnian Warbler was found by Muriel Neddermeyer, Tracy McCarthey, and Tommy DeBardeleben on 28 October 2017 and photographed by Muriel Neddermeyer on the same date.

One of the most infrequently reported vagrant eastern North American warblers in the state, with a total of 22 records endorsed by the ABC and another pending record.. The vast majority of the records fall between late September and late October (most of these are from the first three weeks in October), but there are also a few mid-May and late June sightings as well.

Yellow-orange wash across the breast and face which surrounds the dark auriculars. Broad yellow supercillium and partial eye ring, dark breast and flank streaking all help identify this warbler.

28 October 2017, photo by Muriel Neddermeyer

All photos are copyrighted© by photographer