MacGillivray's Warbler (Geothlypis tolmiei) is in the New World Warblers family (Parulidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 4,038 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: summer visitor / breeder. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph MacGillivray's Warbler: observations by month (U.S.)
About MacGillivray's Warbler
The MacGillivray's warbler (Geothlypis tolmiei) is a species of New World warbler. These birds are sluggish and heavy warblers, preferring to spend most of their time on, or near the ground, except when singing.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
MacGillivray's Warbler by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1,116 | May | Apr–Sep |
| Arizona | 508 | September | Aug–Sep |
| New Mexico | 354 | May | May–May |
| Oregon | 333 | May | May–Aug |
| Colorado | 325 | June | May–Sep |
| Washington | 287 | May | May–Aug |
| Texas | 285 | May | Apr–May |
| Utah | 234 | September | May–Sep |
| Montana | 123 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Nevada | 108 | May | May–May |
| Idaho | 107 | July | May–Sep |
| Wyoming | 84 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Massachusetts | 26 | December | Dec–Jan |
| New York | 23 | December | Dec–Dec |
| Florida | 21 | November | Nov–Nov |
| South Dakota | 18 | June | Jun–Jul |
| North Carolina | 17 | January | Dec–Jan |
| Virginia | 12 | December | Dec–Dec |
| Nebraska | 10 | May | May–May |
| District of Columbia | 9 | October | Oct–Oct |
| Pennsylvania | 9 | November | Nov–Nov |
| Alaska | 7 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Louisiana | 7 | February | Feb–Apr |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (New World Warblers)
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Northern Yellow Warbler
Palm Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Pine Warbler
Photography tips
- Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
- Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
- Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
- Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph MacGillivray's Warbler?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from April to September.
Where is MacGillivray's Warbler most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Arizona, New Mexico.