One of my favorite migrating birds is the black and white warbler. I think it's because they're easy to spot! I get all confused with the yellowish and greenish warblers that are flying through right now en route to their wintering grounds. They look so similar, but the black and white warbler stands out! At this time of year, the black and white warbler is heading to northern South America. What a long trip for a tiny bird! Be safe little warbler. The black-and-white warbler is the only member of the genus Mniotilta, which means “moss-plucking” and refers to the bird’s habit of probing for insects. It you know what a nuthatch is, well, this bird behaves a lot like a nuthatch, creeping up and down tree trunks and along limbs while probing between bark fissures in search of insects and grubs. With unusually long hind toes and claws, these birds are well adapted to climbing on tree bark. Ya gotta love those ADAPTATIONS!
Interestingly, these warblers build their nests on the ground—at the base of a tree, rock, stump, or fallen log, or under a bush or shrub.
While still pretty common, black and white warblers are slowly declining in population mostly because of habitat fragmentation. And because they migrate at night, they frequently crash into windows, towers and wind turbines. Also as insect eaters, they are vulnerable to pesticide poisoning.To hear its beautiful song, CLICK HERE
