July 24, 2016 - Warblers - Part 1

At the end of May, I went to the North Shore for a couple of days to get new pictures for my 2017 Warbler calendar. That’s usually the peak migration time for warblers so it’s a good time to see them. This Black and White Warbler is a female. A male would have more black on the throat and chest. Black and White Warblers nest over most of the eastern United States, including northeast Minnesota. Their nesting range extends into southern and central Canada.

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Warblers are often heard before they are seen. The Black-throated Green Warbler has a very recognizable call that sounds like zee-zee-zee-zoo-zee. I can tell this is a male because of the extensive black on the throat, sides, and chest. It prefers to nest in coniferous forests. Its nesting range includes central and southeastern Canada, northeastern United States, including Minnesota and Wisconsin, and the Appalachian Mountains.

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Here’s a female Black-throated Green Warbler. Compare the black plumage on this bird with the one in the previous photo.

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This is a Canada Warbler with its gray back and head, yellow throat and underside, and a distinctive black “necklace.” Also note the unusual two-toned (yellow and white) eye ring. The nesting range of the Canada Warbler is similar to that of the Black-throated Green Warbler.

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The Chestnut-sided Warbler is aptly named. This is one warbler that looks very different in its non-breeding plumage. Its black and white feathers on the face and throat are replaced by all gray feathers. The top of the head is still yellow and the back is also yellow with some black streaks. When inexperienced birders see this bird in the fall, they often think it is an entirely different species. Here’s a link to a non-breeding plumaged bird. You will need to scroll down when you get there. http://www.earlorfphotos.com/Birds/Birds-UZ/Warblers-CF/

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Because it also has a black “necklace,” the Magnolia Warbler could be confused with the Canada Warbler (above). However, note the completely white eye ring, the patch of white behind the eye, the white wing bar, and the black and yellow striped back.

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