The Blackburnian Warbler is a member of
the Order Passeriformes, Family Parulidae. It is a small
warbler but the breeding adult male has very distinctive
plumage. It has a deep orange throat and yellow head
with black stripes. The wings are dark with white bands
and the flanks are white with dark streaking. Females
have similar plumage but it is much duller, as they do
not need to use it to advertise for mates while the
males do.
HABITAT/DIET
The Blackburnian Warbler winters in Costa Rica and
other parts of South America and it migrates using forest habitats
as stopover sites. The Blackburnian Warbler most commonly spends its
breeding season in coniferous and deciduous forests and avoids black
spruce and jack pines. During this time it is almost completely
insectivorous. During migration and the wintering season it has been
known to eat some fruits and berries. It is a diurnal forager but
mostly forages during the early and midmorning as well as the late
evening.
Photo: Sara Morris
BEHAVIOR
The Blackburnian Warbler is monogamous. Territories
are set up in the breeding season almost as soon as they return from
the wintering grounds. The males defend these territories by
singing, leaving very infrequently, and aggressively attacking any
competitors. The males court the females by hopping about it,
vibrating its wings and spreading its tail. Copulation occurs on the
second day of nest building and the male then guards the female.
They remain together until after the young are fledged and leave the
nest. During the breeding season they only assort with their mates
but in the non-breeding season they are often found in multi-breed
foraging flocks.
WHERE TO FIND THEM
The Blackburnian Warbler is found in western New York
in coniferous forests where it prefers spruce trees. It is here
during its breeding season, which begins in mid- to early May.
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