Black-and-White
WarblerBlack-and-White Warbler -- South Dakota Birds
| Length: 5 inches | Wingspan: 8.5 inches | Seasonality: Migrant/Summer |
| ID Keys: Nuthatch-like feeding behavior, black-and-white striping over entire body with white stripe over each eye. | ||
Black-and-White
Warbler
Mniotilta varia
A warbler that behaves like a nuthatch, the Black-and-White Warbler feeds by crawling up and down tree trunks and branches, looking in crevices for insects. They are often found quite low in forest and woodland edges, a habit that makes them quite conspicuous, especially considering their bold black-and-white plumage and unique behavior. A common migrant in South Dakota, Black-and White Warblers are among the earliest spring warblers.
Habitat: Deciduous and mixed woodlands.
Diet: Insects and spiders.
Nesting: June and July
Breeding Map: Breeding Bird Survey map
Song: Black-and-White Warbler song
Migrations: Summers in much of the eastern U.S., southern Canada, and locally elsewhere.
Similar Species: Blackpoll Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler
Status: Widespread and common, but evidence of local declines.
Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Black-and-White Warbler
2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Black-and-white Warbler"
3) eNature.com: Black-and-White Warbler
Photo Information: May 13th, 2005 -- Minnehaha County -- Terry Sohl
Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Yellow Warbler photos.
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| South Dakota Status: Common migrant throughout the state. Uncommon local summer resident in parts of the western part of the state. |
Proud Member Of:
Range Map Reference: NatureServe
Click here for other references used to compile this page
Please mail any comments/suggestions/additional links for this page to: Terry L. Sohl
This page was last edited on 02/03/08
