Black-throated Green Warbler (Dendroica virens), Carrie Nation Trail, Madera Canyon, Pima County

This Black-throated Green Warbler was discovered and photographed by Scot Pipkin on 07 November 2008 in upper Madera Canyon.  The bird was found on the Carrie Nation trail, just below the cutoff to Josephine Saddle trail.

Prior to 1990 there were about 30 records of Black-throated Green Warbler for Arizona, but there have only been about 5 records since.  This pattern of decreased occurrence since 1990 seems to fit several other northerly breeding eastern warblers that are much less common as vagrants to the state than previously. 

The complete black throat indicates this is an adult male.  In this plumage, this species is virtually unmistakable.  Townsend's would have yellow underparts and a black cap and facial markings.  Hermit has a plain face and unstreaked, whitish underparts.  Golden-cheeked has a black eyeline and a black cap.  The yellow under the tail visible in the first photograph is diagnostic for Black-throated Green in all plumages. 

07 November 2008, photo by Scot Pipkin