Most warblers are colorful or boldly patterned, but not Orange-crowned Warblers (Vermivora celata). These migratory warblers are a grayish olive green above and a dull yellow below, and their drab coloration makes them a bit difficult to spot amidst the leaves.

I observed this Orange-crowned Warbler last Saturday at the Sweetwater Wetlands here in Tucson. It briefly glanced at me and then went back to looking for insects. Orange-crowned Warblers are so named because they have a small, orange patch on the top of the head, but this patch is often hidden and may be faint or absent in the females.

I didn't see an orange crown patch on this bird, but I was still able to identify it as an Orange-crowned Warbler because of its other characteristics. Along with their drab yellow and green coloration and lack of bold markings, Orange-crowned Warblers also have faint streaking on the breast, partial eye-rings, and yellow undertail coverts that contrast with the grayish underside of the tail.

Orange-crowned Warblers are common here in Tucson during spring and fall migration. They are usually found on the lower branches of deciduous trees and in shrubs, especially in riparian areas.