Species BirdsWorm-eating Warbler

Worm-eating Warbler

Helmitheros vermivorum

CommonBird
Illustration of Worm-eating Warbler (Helmitheros vermivorum)

The Worm-eating Warbler is a ground-hugging warbler of mature hillside forests, recognized by its bold black-and-buff head stripes and plain olive-buff body. Despite its name, it rarely eats earthworms, preferring to probe dead leaf clusters hanging in trees for hidden insects and caterpillars. It walks deliberately along forest slopes, often in the densest tangles.

Habitat
Mature deciduous forests on slopes with dense understory
Diet
Caterpillars, insects, and spiders from dead leaf clusters
How common
Common

Best time to see a Worm-eating Warbler

The best time to see a Worm-eating Warbler is April–May, when about 64% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 3,595 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Not certain it is a Worm-eating Warbler? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent Worm-eating Warbler sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spot a Worm-eating Warbler? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.

Get Huck

Get an alert when a Worm-eating Warbler is spotted

Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.

Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.

Love birds? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

More birds

Wrentit
Wrentit
Chamaea fasciata
Xantus's Hummingbird
Xantus's Hummingbird
Basilinna xantusii
Yellow Grosbeak
Yellow Grosbeak
Pheucticus chrysopeplus
Yellow Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Setophaga petechia
Yellow-backed Oriole
Yellow-backed Oriole
Icterus chrysater
Yellow-bellied Elaenia
Yellow-bellied Elaenia
Elaenia flavogaster
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Empidonax flaviventris
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Sphyrapicus varius