Olive warbler

The olive warbler was originally placed in the New World warbler (family Parulidae) genus Dendroica, a group which it closely resembles, particularly in having nine primaries and similar skin. In spite of being assigned to its own genus in 1875, its affinities were a source of contention. and a 1998 study of mitochondrial DNA confirmed its status as being far removed from the New World warblers. The generic name of the olive warbler, Peucedramus, is derived from the Greek peuke for a fir tree and dromos for runner, (from trekho, meaning run), a reference to its feeding habitat and behaviour. The species name, taeniatus, is from the Latin taenia for a headband, and atus for possessing, a reference to its facial markings. The original specific name for the species was olivaceus; however that name was preoccupied and the name was changed. ==Description==

The olive warbler is a medium-sized warbler, in length and weighing . It shows clinal variation in size, with more northern populations being larger than southern ones, a phenomenon known as Bergmann's rule. The olive warbler is a long-winged bird. The plumage of the male is mostly grey body with some olive-green on the wings and two white wing bars. The male's head and breast are "tawny-orange", and there is a black patch through the eye. In the female and juvenile, the orange is replaced by yellow, and the black mask is more diffuse. In addition to differences in size, plumage varies geographically as well, with southern birds having more brightly coloured plumage. The song consists of clear whistles rendered as hirrJI hirrJI hirrJI, plida plida plida chir chir, etc. The male sings throughout the year, with the frequency of the singing increasing in late winter and reaching a peak in early spring. During the year the male sings the most during the midmorning, but during spring the male sings constantly during mornings and late afternoon. Song is usually delivered from the canopy or other tall trees. ==Distribution and habitat==

The olive warbler is distributed from the southwestern United States to Nicaragua, making it the only bird family endemic to North America. The olive warbler is a bird of mountains and highlands. In northern areas of its range it occurs from above sea level or more, in some parts of its range it may not occur below . In Oaxaca in Mexico it occupies a range of between further south in Guatemala it ranges down to and at the southern end of its range it can be found as low as in Honduras and in Nicaragua it occupies a belt of forest from . ==Diet and feeding==

The olive warbler is an insectivore, taking insects and other arthropods. No specific information exists about the actual prey species taken, except that they will take the larvae of Tortricidae moths. It mostly feeds in the branches of ponderosa pines, but also feeds in the branches of grey and silverleaf oaks. ==References==