New World Warblers (Parulidae)

Hermit Warbler (Dendroica occidentalis) - HBW 15, p. 752

French: Paruline à tête jaune German: Einsiedelwaldsänger Spanish: Reinita Cabecigualda

Taxonomy: Sylvia occidentalis J. K. Townsend, 1837, forests of Columbia River = Fort Vancouver, Clarke County, Washington, USA.
Forms a superspecies with D. chrysoparia, D. virens and D. townsendi, and D. nigrescens closely related to this group. Probably the sister-species of D. townsendi; has occasionally been considered conspecific. Hybridizes frequently with latter species (producing fertile young); has hybridized with D. nigrescens. Monotypic.

Distribution: Breeds in W USA from coastal mountains of S Washington S to C & S California (including Sierra Nevada). Migrates to non-breeding grounds mainly from N Mexico S to N Nicaragua, casually S to Costa Rica; also in smaller numbers to coastal S California.