Hermit Warbler x Townsend's Warbler hybrid

[Denise]

Hello all. While on Grand Mesa the other day we saw this interesting Warbler. It was with a mixed flock of Mountain Chickadees, Dark-eyed Juncos, Chipping Sparrows, and a Nashville Warbler. We could hear vocalization from the other birds but not from this Warbler. No attempt at an audio lure was made. The markings match those found on the Hermit x Townsend's hybrid, with black throat and chin, bright yellow face with very faint facial marks, a slight black hood, dark olive back with dark wings and strong white wing bars. White at vent with yellow on breast and black streaks on flanks. The bird foraged with its adopted flock in front of us for a bit, then they all wandered off in an easterly direction. This Warbler appears to be very rare outside of the Pacific Northwest. We are lucky to have been able to see this one here in Western Colorado.