Maui Alauahio vs MacGillivray's Warbler

In short

The Maui Alauahio is a small, yellow-green Hawaiian honeycreeper with a fine, short bill, while the MacGillivray's Warbler is a New World warbler with a more slender appearance and distinct facial markings. The Alauahio is endemic to Maui and is highly sedentary, whereas the MacGillivray's Warbler migrates between North America and Central America.

Identification tips

1. Location: Maui Alauahio is only found on Maui, while MacGillivray's Warbler is migratory across North and Central America. 2. Facial Markings: Look for the gray hood and broken eye-ring of the MacGillivray's Warbler. 3. Plumage: Note the brighter yellow face and breast of male Maui Alauahio compared to the olive and yellow tones of the warbler. 4. Behavior: Observe the sedentary nature of the Alauahio versus the more active, migratory behavior of the warbler.

Size

Both species are small, but the Maui Alauahio is more rotund and compact compared to the more slender MacGillivray's Warbler.

Plumage

Maui Alauahio males have brighter yellow plumage on the face and breast, while MacGillivray's Warbler features a gray hood and olive back with a yellow underbelly. The warbler's facial markings are more distinct with a broken eye-ring.

Behaviour

Maui Alauahio is highly sedentary and aggressively defends its home range, often seen gleaning insects from plants. In contrast, MacGillivray's Warbler is migratory and often found in dense thickets during its breeding and wintering seasons.

Habitat

Maui Alauahio is found in the forests of Maui, while MacGillivray's Warbler inhabits disturbed second growth and riparian vegetation in North America during breeding and Central America during winter.

Voice

Maui Alauahio males have a distinctive song, but specific details are not provided. MacGillivray's Warbler has a typical warbler song, which may include a series of musical notes and chips.