Red warbler

Ergaticus ruber

(Photo from NaturaLista)

Common name:
red warbler (en); mariquita-vermelha (pt); paruline rouge (fr); reinita roja (es); purpur-waldsänger (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Parulidae

Range:
This species is endemic to Mexico, being found form southern Chihuahua to southern Hidalgo.

Size:
These birds are 12,5-13,5 cm long and weigh 7,5-9 g.

Habitat:
The red warbler is found in humid and semi-humid pine, pine-oak, fir and to a lesser extent oak forests, located at high-altitudes. They are present at altitudes of 2.000-3.500 m.

Diet:
They are insectivorous, gleaning various insects from the foliage.

Breeding:
Red warblers breed in February-May. The female builds the nest alone, consisting of an oven-shaped structure made of pine needles, grass, lichens, moss and dead leaves. She lays 3-4 pale pink eggs with brown spots, which she incubates alone for 16 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 10-11 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and a global population estimated at 50.000-500.000 individuals. The population is suspected to be in decline owing to ongoing habitat destruction.