Black-and-White Warbler
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Mniotilta varia
Population size
18 Mlnlnn
Life Span
11 years
Weight
8-15
0.3-0.5
goz
g oz 
Length
11-13
4.3-5.1
cminch
cm inch 
Wingspan
18-22
7.1-8.7
cminch
cm inch 

The black-and-white warbler (Mniotilta varia ) is a species of New World warbler, and the only member of its genus, Mniotilta. It breeds in northern and eastern North America and winters in Florida, Central America, and the West Indies down to Peru. This species is a very rare vagrant to western Europe.

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Relative to other New World warblers, it is not well studied.

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Di

Diurnal

Ca

Carnivore

In

Insectivores

Ar

Arboreal

Te

Terrestrial

Al

Altricial

Te

Territorial

Ov

Oviparous

Mo

Monogamy

Ge

Generally solitary

Fl

Flocking

Mi

Migrating

B

starts with

Bl

Black And White Animals
(collection)

Appearance

Black-and-white warblers are small songbirds that breed in northern and eastern parts of North America. True to their name, these birds are black and white in color. Both sexes have black and white crowns with a white eyebrow, black streaking on a white belly, black wings with two white wing bars, a black tail, a black-and-white streaked back, streaky undertail coverts, and grey-black legs and feet. Breeding males have a black-and-white streaked throat and black cheek, while females have a grey cheek and a white-cream colored throat and sides. Summer male black-and-white warblers are boldly streaked in black and white and have been described as flying humbugs. Each wing is black with two white wing bars. Female and juvenile plumages are similar but duller and less streaky than males.

Distribution

Geography

Black-and-white warblers breed in northern and eastern North America. Their range extends from the Northwest Territories to the northwest and Newfoundland and Labrador to the northeast, to North Carolina to the southeast, and Texas to the southwest. These are migratory birds that winter in Florida, Central America, and northern South America down to Peru. Black-and-white warblers are found in a variety of habitats. In their breeding habitat, these birds prefer deciduous and mixed forest and sometimes occupy the swampy forest. During migration, they are frequently found in riparian areas. In their wintering habitat, Black-and-white warblers can be found in a variety of land cover types, from mangroves to wet, dry, and cloud forest. They may also winter in shade coffee plantations and gardens.

Black-and-White Warbler habitat map
Black-and-White Warbler habitat map
Black-and-White Warbler
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Habits and Lifestyle

Black-and-white warblers are generally solitary and prefer to spend time singly, however, during migration, they sometimes join mixed flocks to feed. These diurnal birds forage like a nuthatch, moving up and down tree trunks and along branches. They forage on tree trunks and limbs to feed on insects below the bark's surface. Their short legs and long hind toe are adaptations to this foraging method and they are unique among warblers in their time spent foraging on tree trunks and inner branches. They also glean for insects. Black-and-white warblers have a high-pitched song, described as a repeating 'wee-see' that is repeated at least 6 times in succession. They have a 'chip' call and a 'seet-seet' call that is sometimes given in flight.

Seasonal behavior
Bird's call

Diet and Nutrition

Black-and-white warblers are carnivores (insectivores). Their diet consists of insects and other arthropods, including lepidopteran larvae, beetles, ants, and spiders. During migration and breeding, these small birds rely heavily on lepidopteran larvae.

Mating Habits

MATING BEHAVIOR
REPRODUCTION SEASON
varies with location
INCUBATION PERIOD
10-12 days
INDEPENDENT AGE
22-33 days
BABY NAME
chick
web.animal_clutch_size
4-5 eggs

Black-and-white warblers are monogamous and form pairs. They produce one brood per year. In the southernmost range of their breeding habitat, these birds can begin breeding mid-April. Males are territorial and defend their territory, both by singing and chasing competitors away. When a female arrives in a male's territory, he pursues her in an effort to breed. The male may also display by flapping his wings. Black-and-white warblers prefer to nest in wetter areas. They construct a cup-shaped nest, often located on the ground among roots or against a tree, or in crevices on tree stumps. The nest is made with grassy material, bark, and dry leaves, and lined with softer material such as moss and hair. The female is responsible for most of the nest-building. She lays 4-5 light brown and speckled with darker brown eggs and incubates them alone for 10-12 days. During incubation, the female is sometimes fed by the male. Both parents care for the nestlings which are born helpless. The chicks fledge after 8 to 12 days and stay around the nest around 2-3 weeks more while they improve their flight ability. During this time, the parents remain nearby.

Population

Population threats

The main threats to Black-and-white warblers include habitat loss and degradation, especially forest fragmentation. If habitat loss continues, in either or both summer or wintering habitat, these birds may continue to decline in the future. They also suffer from the use of pesticides and collisions with tall buildings and radio towers during their night migrations.

Population number

According to IUCN Red List, the total population size of the Black-and-white warbler is 18 million mature individuals. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.

Fun Facts for Kids

  • The Black-and-white warbler is the only member of its genus that has a unique foraging adaptation of finding its prey below the tree bark's surface.
  • Black-and-white warblers are one of the first warblers that arrive at their spring breeding grounds.
  • When a nesting female Black-and-white warbler senses any danger she will perform a "rodent run" display; the bird will hunch and drag its tail trying to distract and lead the potential predator away from the nest.
  • The Black-and-white warbler can be confused with the Blackpoll warbler. The Blackpoll warbler is also black and white in its summer plumage but only has a solid black cap.
  • Some Black-and-white warblers can be rare vagrants to Iceland, Ireland, Faeroes, and the UK.

References

1. Black-and-White Warbler on Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-and-white_warbler
2. Black-and-White Warbler on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22721758/94729210
3. Xeno-canto bird call - https://xeno-canto.org/695989

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