Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, USA (B).
Vagrant to Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands.
Breeds from southern Alaska and north-western Canada (south from Yukon Territory, east to southern Alberta) south in USA to Oregon and Idaho. Migrates mainly to region from northern Mexico south to Nicaragua, also in smaller numbers south to Panama. Also to coastal western USA and north-western Baja California (north-western Mexico).
Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.
Population
Estimated population is 12,000,000 (2010).
Townsend's Warbler (Setophaga townsendi) [XC701079]
by Pablo Jost from Bear Springs, Wasco County, Oregon, United States (song)
Townsend's Warbler (Setophaga townsendi) [XC159408]
by Ian Cruickshank from Rocky Point Bird Observatory, Metchosin, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada (call, contact calls)
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Forms a superspecies with Golden-cheeked Warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia), Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens) and Hermit Warbler (Setophaga occidentalis), and Black-throated Grey Warbler (Setophaga nigrescens) closely related to this group. Probably the sister-species of Hermit Warbler (Setophaga occidentalis) and has occasionally been considered conspecific. Hybridizes frequently with Hermit Warbler (Setophaga occidentalis) (producing fertile young). Hybridization with Black-throated Grey Warbler (Setophaga nigrescens), Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens) and Myrtle Warbler (Setophaga coronata) recorded. Birds breeding in Queen Charlotte Is (and wintering in Oregon and California) are on average slightly shorter-winged than others, and this has been used as basis for dividing into two subspecies. Further study is required.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet