Black-and-white Warbler
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Common Name:Black-and-white Warbler
Class:Aves
Order:Passeriformes
Family:Parulaidae
Genus:Mniotilta
Species:Mniotilta
varia
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P hoto:
M. Noonan |
TAXONOMY
The Black-and-white Warbler is a member of
the order Passeriformes which groups together perching birds. It is a member
of the Parulidae family which consists of New World Warblers. The Black-and-white Warblers scientific name is Mniotilta varia
which means “variegated moss- plucker”. The Black-and-white Warbler is a black
and white streaked warbler, as it’s name implies, and it is 11 to 13 cm in
length. The average mass of this warbler is 9 to 15 grams. The
Black-and-white Warbler male is streaked with black and white stripes as
well as a striped crown. Females are generally smaller than males and paler
markings.
HABITAT/DIET
The Black-and-White Warblers prefer
woodland areas with deciduous trees and prefer more mature forests with
swamps. This species is often seen creeping on trunks and limbs of trees
like a nuthatch.
Its main food source is insects that are eaten off of trees such as spiders,
caterpillars, ants, beetles, and larvae. It is the only North American wood
warbler to that regularly forages on bark. This species of warbler has also
been seen feeding on insects attracted to the sap of Yellow-bellied
Sapsucker holes.
BEHAVIOR
The Black-and-white Warbler is generally a
solitary bird and is diurnal (active during the day). The male
Black-and-white Warbler is
very territorial. He will arrive before the female to and will aggressively defend its
territory. This species has also shown site fidelity
which means that birds will return to the same area each year to breed. The Black-and-white Warbler is a migratory bird ranging from
Canada to northern South America.The Black-and-white Warbler mates in
monogamous pair bonds. The female builds a cup nest on the ground near the
base of a tree or fallen log and is concealed under dead leaves. The nest is
made of leaves and coarse grass. The female lays 4-6 eggs a clutch and the
female usually incubates which last about 10 days. Both parents feed the young which fledge 8 to 12 days
after hatching. There is usually only one brood per year.
