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Leiothlypis luciae

(Cooper, 1861)

Lucy's Warbler

G4Apparently Secure Found in 22 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G4Apparently SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
MediumThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.106111
Element CodeABPBX01090
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassAves
OrderPasseriformes
FamilyParulidae
GenusLeiothlypis
Synonyms
Oreothlypis luciae(Cooper, 1861)Vermivora luciae(Cooper, 1861)
Other Common Names
Chipe Rabadilla Rufa (ES) Lucy's warbler (EN) Paruline de Lucy (FR)
Concept Reference
American Ornithologists' Union (AOU). 1998. Check-list of North American birds. Seventh edition. American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C. [as modified by subsequent supplements and corrections published in The Auk]. Also available online: http://www.aou.org/.
Taxonomic Comments
Formerly placed in the genus Vermivora (AOU 1983, 1998) or Oreothlypis (AOU 2010). Transferred to Leiothlypis by AOS (2019).
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-12-15
Change Date2025-12-15
Edition Date2025-12-15
Edition AuthorsGundy, R. L. (2025)
Threat ImpactMedium
Range Extent200,000-2,500,000 square km (about 80,000-1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences21 - 300
Rank Reasons
This species has a limited range in the southwestern U.S. and western México. The population declined during the 20th century due to habitat loss. Habitat loss continues to be a threat. The population has been rebounding due to conservation efforts.
Range Extent Comments
This species breeds in the southwestern United States and northwestern México. The breeding range for this species includes southern Nevada, Utah, southwestern Colorado, southeastern California, western Arizona, southwestern New Mexico, western Texas, northern Chihuahua, and northern Sonora (Johnson et al. 2020). Using Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) (2025) records, breeding range extent is estimated to be 737,859 km² (RARECAT 2025).

The nonbreeding range includes western México from southern Sonora south to northern Michoacán, and a disjunct range at the southern end of Baja California (Johnson et al. 2020). Using Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) (2025) records, nonbreeding range extent is estimated to be 869,979 km² (RARECAT 2025).
Occurrences Comments
There are many occurrences throughout the range.
Threat Impact Comments
This species is threatened by the loss of riparian habitat (Johnson et al. 2020). Removal of invasive tamarisk (Tamarix sp.) trees may cause temporary declines (Johnson et al. 2020).
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

BREEDING: Deserts, mesquite along streams, riparian woodlands (willows and cottonwoods). Nests in tree cavity, behind bark, in abandoned woodpecker hole or verdin nest. NON-BREEDING: During migration and winter: dry washes, riparian forest, and thorn forest.

Ecology

Eggs/young preyed on by lizards, snakes, woodrats, and Gila woodpeckers.

Reproduction

Clutch size 3-7 (usually 4-5) (Harrison 1978). Female may desert nest if disturbed. Female has been observed doing most of the work of nest building. Possibly 2 broods/season (Bureau of Land Management, no date).
Terrestrial Habitats
Woodland - HardwoodShrubland/chaparralDesert
Palustrine Habitats
Riparian
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN5B
ProvinceRankNative
CaliforniaS3Yes
New MexicoS3B,S4NYes
NevadaS3BYes
ArizonaS5Yes
TexasS3BYes
UtahS3Yes
Navajo NationS3BYes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
5 - Biological resource useRestricted - smallSerious or 31-70% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
5.3 - Logging & wood harvestingRestricted - smallSerious or 31-70% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
8 - Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseasesLarge (31-70%)Moderate or 11-30% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
8.1 - Invasive non-native/alien species/diseasesLarge (31-70%)Moderate or 11-30% pop. declineHigh (continuing)

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Roadless Areas (22)
Arizona (16)
AreaForestAcres
BoulderTonto National Forest40,359
Butterfly Roadless AreaCoronado National Forest42,296
Catalina St. Pk. Roadless AreaCoronado National Forest951
ChiricahuaCoronado National Forest76,876
GaliuroCoronado National Forest28,333
GoldfieldTonto National Forest15,257
Lime CreekTonto National Forest42,568
MazatzalTonto National Forest16,942
Middle Dragoon RoadlessCoronado National Forest10,543
Middle Romero WSRCoronado National Forest60
Oracle RoadlessCoronado National Forest22,365
PinalenoCoronado National Forest130,920
Pine Mountain Wilderness ContiguousTonto National Forest6,518
TumacacoriCoronado National Forest44,594
Upper Romero WsrCoronado National Forest150
WhetstoneCoronado National Forest20,728
Nevada (1)
AreaForestAcres
Angel Peak NorthHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest12,577
New Mexico (4)
AreaForestAcres
Contiguous To Gila Wilderness & Primitive AreaGila National Forest79,049
Devils CreekGila National Forest89,916
Gila BoxGila National Forest23,759
Peloncillo (NM)Coronado National Forest43,339
Utah (1)
AreaForestAcres
Rock CanyonDixie National Forest16,457
References (31)
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  2. American Ornithologists' Union (AOU). 1983. Check-list of North American Birds, 6th edition. Allen Press, Inc., Lawrence, Kansas. 877 pp.
  3. American Ornithologists' Union (AOU). 1998. Check-list of North American birds. Seventh edition. American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C. [as modified by subsequent supplements and corrections published in <i>The Auk</i>]. Also available online: http://www.aou.org/.
  4. American Ornithologists' Union (AOU). Chesser, R.T., R.C. Banks, F.K. Barker, C. Cicero, J.L. Dunn, A.W. Kratter, I.J. Lovette, P.C. Rasmussen, J.V. Remsen, Jr., J.D. Rising, D.F. Stotz, and K. Winker. 2010. Fifty-first supplement to the American Ornithologists' Union Check-list of North American Birds. The Auk 127(3):726-744.
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