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.
Relative to other New World warblers, it is not well studied.
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DiurnalDiurnal animals are active during the daytime, with a period of sleeping or other inactivity at night. The timing of activity by an animal depends ...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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InsectivoresAn insectivore is a carnivorous plant or animal that eats insects. An alternative term is entomophage, which also refers to the human practice of e...
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ArborealArboreal locomotion is the locomotion of animals in trees. In habitats in which trees are present, animals have evolved to move in them. Some anima...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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AltricialAltricial animals are those species whose newly hatched or born young are relatively immobile. They lack hair or down, are not able to obtain food ...
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TerritorialA territory is a sociographical area that which an animal consistently defends against the conspecific competition (or, occasionally, against anima...
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OviparousOviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
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MonogamyMonogamy is a form of relationship in which both the male and the female has only one partner. This pair may cohabitate in an area or territory for...
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Generally solitaryGenerally solitary animals are those animals that spend their time separately but will gather at foraging areas or sleep in the same location or sh...
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FlockingFlocking birds are those that tend to gather to forage or travel collectively. Avian flocks are typically associated with migration. Flocking also ...
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MigratingAnimal migration is the relatively long-distance movement of individual animals, usually on a seasonal basis. It is the most common form of migrati...
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Black And White AnimalsBlack-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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.