Eight uncommon southern forest birds can be found across various forest interior habitats within the state’s southern counties and include the Acadian Flycatcher, Louisiana Waterthrush, Cerulean, Hooded, Kentucky, Prothonotary, Worm-eating, and Yellow-throated Warblers. All are at the northern limits of their continental range in Wisconsin and generally reside in low densities, making them rare in the state and highly sought after among birders. Each is a state Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) or Species with Information Need with six of the eight listed as state Endangered or Threatened and the others as Special Concern. These secretive species largely are found in the forest interior, away from roads and require some specialized survey efforts. The Atlas will play a key role in understanding the current status of these priority species. This document outlines tips and strategies to improve your chances of finding them.
Acadian Flycatcher
Acadian Flycatcher photo by Mike McDowell
Acadian Flycatcher can be locally common in historic, suitable habitats and is showing signs of expanding their range northward in the state. They should be searched for in blocks in the southern half of the state where large (>250 ac), unfragmented tracks of mesic to dry-mesic, closed canopy forests are present. They are best identified by their distinctive, emphatic “pizza!” or “spit-chee!” songs during early morning surveys in the breeding season from 15 May to 30 June.
Region: Southern-half of Wisconsin, although they appear to be moving northward and showing up in low numbers across more of the forest transitional landscape or southern fringe of the North Woods. The WBBA I map slightly underestimates their current range; their likely range is much closer to known occurrences in the Natural Heritage Inventory database. eBird Range Map
WBBA I Range Map
Time of Year: Acadian Flycatcher arrives in Wisconsin starting in early to mid-May. Courtship and nesting is initiated by late May as nests with eggs have been documented from early to late June when peak calling activity occurs. Breeding codes may possibly be recorded into August when the fall migration begins and runs into mid-September.
Breeding Guideline Bar Chart: (Full chart is on atlas handbook webpage)
Time of Day: No special instructions. As with many birds, early morning hours are usually best. Surveys should be conducted from 15 minutes prior to sunrise to four hours after.
Focal Habitat: This species requires large tracts of older or mature forest with dense canopy cover. The best habitat areas are typically associated with ravines, stream gorges, and steep or rolling terrain. They seem to prefer a semi-open understory and avoid areas with either dense or completely open understory vegetation. Forest stand preferences in Wisconsin are mesic maple forests, maple-hemlock, or oak dominated (red or white oak) stands.
Special Methods: Breeding season surveys should focus on large, unfragmented blocks of forest (>250 acres in size). Off-road point counts (standing in one area for 10 minutes) spaced a minimum of 250 meters apart or area searches targeting specialized habitats (ravines, gorges) are effective in locating singing individuals.
Code Guidance: Confirmed breeding made up the largest percentage of records in the first atlas. Locating nests in tall shrubs and saplings is possible, so looking for signs of carrying nesting material (CN) and carrying food (CF) to confirm nesting are good options. Because of the remote nature of this species the most common codes thus far in WBBA II are singing males (S) and singing males heard 7+ days apart (S7).
Other Species: In addition to the species listed in this document, these forests can have uncommon breeders like Red-shouldered Hawk, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Least Flycatcher, Veery, and Wood Thrush.
Confusing Species: The Acadian’s song is distinctive and the best tool for detecting and identifying this bird. Other Empidonax flycatchers are difficult to differentiate by sight and can overlap in range but only the Least Flycatcher is found in similar closed canopy forest and the songs of these two species are easily differentiated by most birders. Other Empidonax species are obligated to wet, shrubby habitats (Willow and Alder Flycatcher) or wet coniferous forests in northern Wisconsin (Yellow-bellied Flycatcher). Eastern Wood-Pewee is another possible source of visual confusion.
More Information on Acadian Flycatcher:
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Louisana Waterthrush
Louisiana Waterthrush photo by Lana Hayes
This warbler is uncommon in Wisconsin, has very specialized habitat requirements, and one of the earliest warblers to nest each year in the state. They should be searched for in any block in the Driftless Area of western Wisconsin or other blocks where fast-moving, rocky or gravel-bottoms streams found in steep or rugged terrain with relatively large blocks of unfragmented forests are present. The species is one of the earliest arriving warblers in the state, arriving as early as mid-April and nesting by early to mid-May. Due to the difficulties in accessing nesting habitats and propensity to stop singing once paired, the species can easily go undetected. Surveys early in the nesting season during WBBA II, would aid in locating this rare breeder.
Region: Found throughout the southern 2/3 of the state, but most prevalent in the Driftless Area of western Wisconsin up to and including the St. Croix River valley. The species is also found in other rugged topographical areas like the Kettle Moraine region, Baraboo Hills, and near the Lower Wolf River. eBird Range Map
WBBA I Range Map
Time of Year: Louisiana Waterthrush arrives in Wisconsin in mid- to late April and courtship and nesting is initiated by early to mid-May. Breeding codes may be recorded into mid- to late July when the fall migration begins and runs through September.
Breeding Guideline Bar Chart: (Full chart is on atlas handbook webpage)
Time of Day: No special instructions. As with many birds, early morning hours are usually best. Surveys should be conducted from 15 minutes prior to sunrise to four hours after.
Focal Habitat: The best habitat areas are intact and relatively large forest blocks centered around swift-moving, rocky or gravel-bottomed streams. This species nests on the ground along headwater streams under fallen logs, in small hollows, crevices or cavities, or within tree roots in steep or rough terrain. Selected forest types are deciduous, mixed conifer – hardwood, and floodplain forest. They are considered area-sensitive, requiring older or mature un-fragmented forests.
Special Methods: Breeding season surveys should focus on large, unfragmented blocks of forest (>250 acres in size). Off-road point counts (standing in one area for 10 mintues) spaced a minimum of 250 meters apart or area searches targeting specialized habitats (along headwater or small order streams) within forested blocks are especially effective in locating singing males. Targeting surveys for early in the nesting cycle is advantageous as males singing rate is greatly reduced once they are mated.
Code Guidance: Locating concealed nests along stream banks is difficult, so looking for signs of nesting like carrying nesting material (CN) and carrying food (CF) to confirm nesting are good options. Due to the remote habitat of this species, the most common codes thus far in WBBA II are singing males (S) and singing males heard 7+ days apart (S7). Listening for their distinctive songs are likely atlasers best option for detecting this species.
Other Species: In addition to the species listed in this document, these forests can have uncommon breeders like Red-shouldered Hawk, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Least Flycatcher, Veery, and Wood Thrush.
Confusing Species: The Louisiana Waterthrush looks very similar to the Northern Waterthrush but can be distinguished by its song and longer bill, heavier body, bolder white eye-stripe, whiter (as compared to yellower) underparts, and less breast and belly streaking. The two species also use different habitat in Wisconsin with the northern inhabiting swamps, bogs, and slow-moving water. The beginning portion of their song sounds much like Swainson’s Warbler (very rare in WI).
More Information on Louisiana Waterthrush:
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Cerulean Warbler
Cerulean Warbler photo by Dennis Maleug
This warbler is a Species of Greatest Conservation Need in Wisconsin and is declining throughout the state. They should be searched for in blocks primarily in the southern half of the state, but also into the forest transitional area to the northern forest where large (>200 ac) tracts of upland and lowland southern forest types (oak – hickory) are present. They are best identified by song during early morning surveys in the breeding season from 15 May to 30 June.
Region: The species is found in the greatest density in the southern half of the state, but is found in low numbers in the forest transitional landscapes up to the northern forest. Cerulean’s are largely found where unfragmented blocks of older southern hardwood forest habitat is found throughout the state. eBird Range Map
WBBA I Range Map
Time of Year: Cerulean Warblers arrive in Wisconsin from late-April to mid-May, and appears to be a rare spring and fall migrant in Wisconsin. Courtship and nesting is initiated by late-May through mid-August. Breeding codes may be recorded into mid-August when the fall migration begins and runs through September.
Breeding Guideline Bar Chart: (Full chart is on atlas handbook webpage)
Time of Day: No special instructions. As with many birds, early morning hours are usually best. Surveys should be conducted from 15 minutes prior to sunrise to four hours after, or conclude by 10 am.
Focal Habitat: This species requires extensive tracts of mature forest (>200ac) with large diameter trees, high canopy cover (>65%) and small canopy gaps (often near water features). Large trees, primarily oak, hickory and maples with full canopies and horizontal limb structure are utilized for nest placement. Floodplain forests along major river systems like the Lower Wisconsin, Lower Wolf, Mississippi, and Black Rivers also provide excellent habitat.
Special Methods: Breeding season surveys should focus on large, unfragmented blocks of forest (>200 acres in size) with large diameter trees. Off-road point counts (standing in one area for 10 minutes) spaced a minimum of 250 meters apart or area searches targeting specialized habitats (small canopy gaps near water, large trees) are effective in locating singing individuals. Ceruleans tend to sing irregularly; if you believe you are in appropriate habitat, additional visits during the breeding season or listening for extended time periods may be warranted.
Code Guidance: Locating concealed nests high in the canopy on horizontal branches is exceedingly difficult, so looking for signs of nesting like carrying nesting material (CN) and carrying food (CF) to confirm nesting are good options. Due to the remote habitat of this species, the most common codes thus far in WBBA II are singing males (S) and singing males heard 7+ days apart (S7). Listening for their distinctive songs are likely atlasers’ best option for detecting this species.
Other Species: In addition to the species listed in this document, these forests can have uncommon breeders like Red-shouldered Hawk, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Least Flycatcher, Veery, and Wood Thrush.
Confusing Species: The Cerulean Warbler is most often detected by its song due to its secretive nature associated with nesting high in the canopy. Their song can be confused with the Black-throated Blue Warbler, another associate of closed canopy, mature forests, but the cerulean’s song has a distinctive higher pitched trill at the ending whereas the Black-throated Blue Warbler is slower and more slurred and nests farther north than the Cerulean. Northern Parula songs can also be somewhat similar.
More Information on Cerulean Warbler:
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Hooded Warbler
Hooded Warbler photo by Brian Collins
The Hooded Warbler is state Threatened and a Species of Greatest Conservation Need in Wisconsin. Federal breeding bird survey data show a slight increase in numbers in the state and recent inventory efforts have found this species to be moving northward and becoming more commonly encountered in the last one to two decades. The species should be searched for in any block in the southern two-thirds of the state, but shouldn’t be overlooked in counties bordering the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and neighboring the St. Croix National Scenic River where extensive, mature southern forest habitat may be present.
Region: The species is found in the greatest density in the southern half of the state, but is also found in low numbers in the northeast and northwest counties of Wisconsin. Hoodeds are largely found where unfragmented blocks of older southern hardwood forest habitat is located throughout the state. The WBBA I map underestimates their total range; their likely range is much closer to known occurrences in the Natural Heritage Inventory database. eBird Range Map
WBBA I Range Map
Time of Year: Hooded Warblers arrive in Wisconsin in early-May with courtship and nesting initiated by late-May through mid-August. Breeding codes may be recorded into mid-August when the fall migration begins and runs through September.
Breeding Guideline Bar Chart: (Full chart is on atlas handbook webpage)
Time of Day: No special instructions. As with many birds, early morning hours are usually best. Surveys should be conducted from 15 minutes prior to sunrise to four hours after, or conclude by 10 am.
Focal Habitat: This species requires large tracts of older or mature upland hardwood forests with small openings of dense shrubs, saplings, or brambles for nest placement. Preferred forest types are deeply shaded, mesic maple stands or oak – hickory dominated forests. Extensive tracts of forest (250 – 1500 ac) with large diameter trees, high canopy cover (>65%) and small canopy gaps are places to look for this rare warbler.
Special Methods: Breeding season surveys should focus on large, unfragmented blocks of forest (>250 acres in size) with large diameter trees. Off-road point counts (standing in one area for 10 minutes) spaced a minimum of 250 meters apart or area searches targeting specialized habitats (small canopy gaps, large trees) are effective in locating singing individuals. Hoodeds have numerous alternate songs or variations of typical songs to be aware of. Many of these have been recorded and are available for reference in the Wisconsin Breeding Bird Atlas I Audio Library.
Code Guidance: The species nests in shrubs and saplings in openings and edges of large forest habitats, making locating nests possible. To date, carrying food (CF) has been the most common way for atlasers to confirm nesting, but finding nests while watching these birds may be plausible if in suitable habitats. The most common codes thus far in WBBA II are singing males (S) and singing males heard 7+ days apart (S7). Listening for their distinctive songs are likely still the best option for detecting presence of this species.
Other Species: In addition to the species listed in this document, these forests can have uncommon breeders like Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Least Flycatcher, Veery, and Wood Thrush.
Confusing Species: The Hooded Warbler can often be found low in the shrub and sapling layer, making visual detections likely. The appearance of the female can resemble the female Wilson’s Warbler, a common migrant in Wisconsin, and an extremely rare breeder in the state that does not overlap with the range of the Hooded Warbler. Male Hooded Warblers resemble Kentucky Warblers but have black on the throat, a longer tail with white outer feathers and more yellow on the face. Confusion with the song of Magnolia Warbler is possible.
More Information on Hooded Warbler:
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Kentucky Warbler
Kentucky Warbler photo by Steve Maslowski
The Kentucky Warbler is state Threatened and a Species of Greatest Conservation Need in Wisconsin. The species should be searched for in any block in the southern third of the state, especially in the Driftless Area, Baraboo Hills, and Kettle Moraine regions, where extensive mature mesic forest habitat may be present. They are best identified by song during early morning surveys in the breeding season from May 20 to June 30.
Region: The species is a rare breeder in Wisconsin and largely restricted to the southern third, but their range extends slightly northward in the Driftless Area and Kettle Moraine regions. Kentuckys are largely found where large landscapes of older hardwood forest habitat is found like the Baraboo Hills, large river systems (Wisconsin, Mississippi, Black, Chippewa), and the Kettle Moraine State Forest. eBird Range Map
WBBA I Range Map
Time of Year: Kentucky Warblers arrive in Wisconsin from mid- to late May and initiate courtship by early June with nesting running through July. Breeding codes may be recorded into mid-August when the fall migration begins and runs through September.
Breeding Guideline Bar Chart: (Full chart is on atlas handbook webpage)
Time of Day: No special instructions. As with many birds, early morning hours are usually best. Surveys should be conducted from 15 minutes prior to sunrise to four hours after.
Focal Habitat: This species requires large tracts of older or mature floodplain forests or southern mesic to dry-mesic forest with a well-developed shrub, sapling, or herbaceous layer. Preferred forest types are deeply shaded bottomland hardwoods that include basswood, elm, maple, or oak, mesic maple – beech stands, or upland slightly drier oak-dominated forests. The species is considered area sensitive, requiring large tracts of forest (100 – 500+ acres) with high canopy cover (>65%) and small canopy gaps or transitional zones from floodplain to upland forests are ideal places for this warbler.
Special Methods: Breeding season surveys should focus on large, unfragmented blocks of forest (>100 acres in size) with moist, brushy openings or ecotones. Off-road point counts (standing in one area for 10 minutes) spaced a minimum of 250 meters apart or area searches targeting specialized habitats (small canopy gaps, moist brush areas) are effective in locating singing individuals. Surveys should be done between May 20 – June 30.
Code Guidance: Locating concealed nests is exceedingly difficult, as most nests are on the ground, so listening for singing individuals is most efficient. The most common codes thus far in WBBA II are singing males (S) and singing males heard 7+ days apart (S7). Watch for signs of nesting like carrying nesting material (CN), carrying food (CF), or feeding young (FY; all confirmations for WBBA I) to confirm nesting.
Other Species: In addition to the species listed in this document, these forests can have uncommon breeders like Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Mourning Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, and Wood Thrush.
Confusing Species: The Kentucky Warbler is most often detected by its song due to its secretive nature and close association with nesting in dense brush. Within these habitats, male Hooded Warblers most closely resemble Kentucky Warblers but have black on the throat, a longer tail with white outer feathers and more yellow on the face. The rolling song of the Kentucky can be confused with the Ovenbird which has an upward inflection at the end of each phrase and builds to a crescendo.
More Information on Kentucky Warbler:
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Prothonotary Warbler
Prothonotary Warbler photo by Nick Anich
The Prothonotary Warbler is a Species of Greatest Conservation Need in Wisconsin. The species is found in Floodplain Forests along large river systems with extensive bottomland forest. They should be searched for in any block that includes large rivers in the southern half of the state extending northwest along the Mississippi and St. Croix River valleys. They are easily identified by their high-pitched song and colorful plumage during early morning surveys in the breeding season from May 20 to June 30.
Region: The species is an uncommon breeder in Wisconsin and largely restricted to southwestern portions of the state where large rivers (Wisconsin, Black, Chippewa) are present. Their range extends northward along the Mississippi and St. Croix river valleys and eastward where large rivers (Wolf, Sugar, Rock) exist. eBird Range Map
WBBA I Range Map
Time of Year: Prothonotary Warblers arrive in Wisconsin from late-April to late-May and initiate courtship by late-May to early-June with nesting running through July.
Breeding Guideline Bar Chart: (Full chart is on atlas handbook webpage)
Time of Day: No special instructions. As with many birds, early morning hours are usually best. Surveys should be conducted from 15 minutes prior to sunrise to four hours after.
Focal Habitat: This species is a floodplain forest specialist, found where large river systems like the Mississippi, Wisconsin, Black, lower Wolf, and Sugar provide extensive bottomland forest habitat. Preferred locations within these bottomland forests are where trees and snags with ample cavities are present for nesting and areas with standing water like sloughs, oxbow-ponds, or slow-moving backwaters. The species is considered area-sensitive, requiring larger tracts of forest (>250 acres) with a sparse understory and typical bottomland tree species like swamp white oak, silver maple, ash or river birch.
Special Methods: Breeding season surveys should focus on large, unfragmented blocks of forest (>250 acres in size) with moist, level bottomland hardwoods along large rivers. Off-road point counts (standing in one area for 10 minutes) spaced a minimum of 250 meters apart or area searches targeting specialized habitats (backwater sloughs, oxbow ponds) are effective in locating singing or nesting individuals. Surveys should be done between May 20 – July 4.
Code Guidance: The species is an obligate cavity nester and readily uses woodpecker excavations and nest boxes, making locating nests in backwater areas fairly easy. The most common codes thus far in WBBA II are singing males (S) and singing males heard 7+ days apart (S7). Watch and listen for signs of nesting (NY), carrying food (CF), or feeding young (FY) to confirm nesting.
Other Species: In addition to the species listed in this document, these forests can have uncommon breeders like Yellow-crowned Night-heron, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Red-shouldered Hawk, Brown Creeper, Red-headed Woodpecker, and American Woodcock.
Confusing Species: The Prothonotary Warbler’s distinctive loud, high-pitched song, large size, and brightly colored plumage easily differentiate from most other warblers. Blue-winged Warbler differs by having a dark eye line and whitish wing bars and the Yellow Warbler has a smaller bill and yellow-green wings and tail and the male has a streaked breast. Prothonotary Warblers are the only cavity-nesting warbler in the eastern U.S. making them unique and providing easy clues for identification.
More Information on Prothonotary Warbler:
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Worm-eating Warbler
Worm-eating Warbler photo by Lloyd Spitalnik
This warbler is a Species of Greatest Conservation Need in Wisconsin and an exceedingly rare breeder in the southern half of the state. They should be searched for in blocks in western and southwestern Wisconsin, as well as the Baraboo Hills and Kettle Moraine State Forest. Focal habitats are large (>500 ac) blocks of mature oak-dominated stands on south-facing slopes, sometimes adjacent to pine or hemlock relicts. A visual identification is necessary to verify occurrences of singing males during the breeding season (late-May to early July) because of the similarity of their song with the Chipping Sparrow.
Region: The species is exceedingly rare and largely restricted to steep terrains found in western and southwestern Wisconsin’s unglaciated region (Driftless Area). Typical haunts for the Worm-eating Warbler are on steep, south-facing bluffs and ridges associated with major river systems (Mississippi, Wisconsin, Chippewa), the Baraboo Hills, and Kettle Moraine State Forest. eBird Range Map
WBBA I Range Map
Time of Year: Worm-eating Warbler arrives in Wisconsin from late-April to mid-May, and appears to be a rare spring and fall migrant in Wisconsin. Courtship and nesting is initiated by late-May through mid-July. Breeding codes may be recorded into early-August when the fall migration begins and runs through September.
Breeding Guideline Bar Chart: (Full chart is on atlas handbook webpage)
Time of Day: No special instructions. As with many birds, early morning hours are usually best. Surveys should be conducted from 15 minutes prior to sunrise to four hours after.
Focal Habitat: This species requires large tracts of older or mature upland deciduous or mixed deciduous – conifer forests, on south-facing slopes within mature to old-growth stands. Large blocks (>500 ac) of dry oak or oak-dominated stands among pine or hemlock relicts with mature white oaks are preferred locations for nesting. A more open shrub layer seems to be preferred in Wisconsin.
Special Methods: Breeding season surveys should focus on large, unfragmented blocks of forest (>500 acres in size) with large diameter trees. Off-road point counts (standing in one area for 10 minutes) spaced a minimum of 250 meters apart or area searches targeting specialized habitats (mature south-facing oak or oak-pine stands) for locating singing males. Surveys should be conducted from June 1 – July 4.
Code Guidance: Although the species forages high in the canopy where they can be difficult to locate, they nest on the ground, but in well concealed nests. Confirmations during the first atlas where of watching adults feeding young (FY) when both were conspicuous and noisy. This may be atlasers best option for confirming the species. When detected by song (S or S7), observers should spend ample time searching for the singing individual to verify it as a Worm-eating Warbler. These observations may lead to other higher breeding codes.
Other Species: In addition to the species listed in this document, these forests can have uncommon breeders like Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Least Flycatcher, Veery, and Wood Thrush.
Confusing Species: The appearance of the Worm-eating Warbler is distinctive and should easily distinguish from other warblers in the state. The song, however, is difficult to differentiate from a Chipping Sparrow even for experienced birders, therefore a visual confirmation, photo, or video is needed to definitively identify this species during the nesting season.
More Information on Worm-eating Warbler:
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Yellow-throated Warbler
Yellow-throated Warbler by Dennis Maleug
The Yellow-throated Warbler is state Endangered and a Species of Greatest Conservation Need in Wisconsin. They should be searched for in blocks in the far southern counties of the state particularly in Floodplain Forests along major southern rivers where sycamore trees are found and in pine relicts within larger hardwood forests. They can be identified by song, but visual confirmation is required due to extreme rarity of this species. Riverine habitats with sycamore trees and pine relicts embedded in contiguous hardwood forests are places to look for this species in the breeding season from 15 May to 30 June.
Region: The species is exceedingly rare and restricted to the southern third of the state. Typical haunts for the Yellow-throated Warbler are along large southern rivers (Wisconsin, Mississippi, Sugar). Additional places in southern Wisconsin include the Driftless Area where pine relicts are found. eBird Range Map
WBBA I Range Map
Time of Year: Yellow-throated Warblers arrives in Wisconsin from early- or mid-April to mid-May, and is a very rare spring and fall migrant in Wisconsin. Courtship and nesting is initiated by late-May through mid-August. Breeding codes may be recorded into mid-August when the fall migration begins and runs through September.
Breeding Guideline Bar Chart: (Full chart is on atlas handbook webpage)
Time of Day: No special instructions. As with many birds, early morning hours are usually best. Surveys should be conducted from 15 minutes prior to sunrise to four hours after.
Focal Habitat: The species utilizes two different and specialized habitat types for nesting. They can be found in Floodplain Forests along major rivers (Wisconsin, Mississippi, Sugar) in southern Wisconsin where sycamore trees are present. They also utilize pine relicts within extensive upland oak or hardwood forests like those found in the Baraboo Hills or southwestern Wisconsin. The species nests in large sycamore, oak, or pine trees high in canopy on horizontal branches off the main trunk.
Special Methods: Breeding season surveys should focus on the southern third of Wisconsin on large river systems, where extensive bottomland forests contain large sycamores or unfragmented, pine – oak forest. Off-road point counts (standing in one area for 10 minutes) spaced a minimum of 250 meters apart or area searches targeting specialized habitats (sycamore trees, pine relicts) may be effective in locating singing individuals. Surveys should be conducted from May 25 – July 1.
Code Guidance: Locating concealed nests high in the canopy on horizontal branches is exceedingly difficult, so looking for signs of nesting like carrying nesting material (CN) and carrying food (CF) to confirm nesting are good options. Due to the remote habitat and difficulty in locating the species or their nests (no confirmations during first atlas!), the best options are listening for singing males (S) and singing males heard 7+ days apart (S7).
Other Species: In addition to the species listed in this document, the Floodplain Forests can have uncommon breeders like Red-shouldered Hawk, Bald Eagle, Yellow-crowned Night-heron, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Brown Creeper, and pine relicts may harbor northern warblers like Pine, Blackburnian, Black-and-White, or Black-throated Green.
Confusing Species: The Yellow-throated Warblers song is a unique series of clear, slurred notes slightly dropping pitch. They look somewhat similar to a Blackburnian Warbler, though the Yellow-throated has a bold black facemask, bright yellow on the throat, and a white eyebrow. Visual confirmation, photos, or videos are helpful for positive identification due to extreme rarity in the state.
More Information on Yellow-throated Warbler:
Birds of North America Account (subscription required)
Thanks to Rich Staffen for this writeup