July 24, 2016 - Warblers - Part 1
Read MoreAt 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.
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.
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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