Tom - 

From Dunn and Garrett (1997):

"In migration and winter, foraging takes place at all levels, even near the
ground, and in a broader variety of trees.  During those seasons they often
join mixed flocks of kinglets, chickadees, and other warblers (including
members of the virens superspecies).  In much of Mexican and N. Central
American highlands, Townsend's is often the most numerous member of these
mixed flocks.  Most foraging is by rather deliberate gleaning, with some
hover-gleaning and, more rarely, aerial sallying.  Food is almost
exclusively insects and spiders."

From Curson et al. (1994):

"Winters mainly in highland coniferous and pine-oak forest, usually above
2000 m but at lower elevations in southern part of winter range; almost
exclusively on insects (occasionally takes a few seeds), gleaning and
flycatching almost exclusively in the treetops on the breeding grounds, but
more frequently at lower levels in winter.  Found in mixed-species feeding
flocks in winter, white it often forms, along with Hermit Warbler, the
nucleus of the flock.  Occasionally visits feeders in N. America in winter."


Mark L Hoffman
Sykesville, MD
Wcbirding at adelphia.net

-----Original Message-----
From: Maryland Birds & Birding [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Marko, Thomas L. GS BUMED
Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2006 4:44 PM
To: 
Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Further Townsend's Warbler update

Gail Mackiernan and Barry Cooper, Colesville, MD, write: "The warbler was
actively gleaning along branches and even along the trunks of trees, a bit
like a Black and White."

I'm curious, what comprises the warbler's diet this time of the year?

Tom Marko
Olney, MD