STEREOTYPED FORAGING BEHAVIOR OF THE SWAINSONS-WARBLER

I studied the foraging behavior of 399 individuals of Swainson's Warbl er (Limnothlypis swainsonii) during the breeding season at more than 7 0 localities in the southeastern United States. Swainson's Warbler is a terrestrial dead-leaf specialist and ''leaf-lifting'' was the princi pal search/attack maneuver of all observed individuals. Pattering or v ibration of feet is an important but previously unrecognized behavior associated with foraging in leaf litter. Observations indicate that le af litter is a critical component of Swainson's Warbler habitat on bre eding and winter territories and at migratory stopovers.