Rufous-capped Warbler (Basileuterus rufifrons), Cave Creek Canyon, Chiricahuas, Cochise County

This Rufous-capped Warbler was discovered in Cave Creek Canyon in the Chiricahua Mountains on the 27 April 2004 by Dave Jasper and was photographed by Robert Shantz the same day. It was observed at South Fork, along the creek where the South Fork road makes its one crossing of the creek halfway to the road ending at the trailhead. This is about a half mile from where the first Rufous-capped Warbler for Arizona was found in 1977.  The warbler was moving slowly, mostly just up creek from the road crossing, feeding primarily in the short, sparse willows and also in some mid-height oaks, always close to the creek. It occasionally gave soft, high tick notes.

Rufous-capped Warbler is a casual spring and summer visitor to SE Arizona.

Submitting photos to AZFO does not constitute reporting a rare bird for consideration as an official record. To ensure that a record becomes official, details or photos of Sketch Details Species should be sent to the Editors of North American Birds and a full report of Review Species should be submitted to the Arizona Bird Committee. Most rare birds are under _documented and subsequent observers of a rarity are always encouraged to submit reports and additional photos, especially for birds that are challenging to identify.

27 April 2004, photos by Robert Shantz