Russet-crowned Warbler

The Russet-crowned Warbler occurs widely along both slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes, inhabiting humid montane and cloud forests typically between 1,500 and 3,000 meters. It is generally fairly common in dense understory and edge habitats, often seen foraging in pairs or small mixed-species flocks, where it gleans insects from mossy branches and low vegetation. The species is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a broad Andean range and a population that, while slowly declining due to habitat degradation, remains stable overall. Natural history observations highlight its rust-orange crown, musical duets between mates, and preference for shaded, epiphyte-rich forest interiors, though nesting biology remains only lightly documented.