Black-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 - Mnioitilta variaBlack-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.

Black-and-white Warbler - North American Range Map

South Dakota Status: Common migrant throughout the state.  Uncommon local summer resident in parts of the western part of the state.

 

Additional Black-and-White Warbler Photos
Black-and-White Warbler - Mniotilta varia Black-and-White Warbler - Mniotilta varia Black-and-White Warbler - Mniotilta varia
Black-and-White Warbler 1

Black-and-White Warbler 2

Black-and-White Warbler 3

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Please mail any comments/suggestions/additional links for this page to: Terry L. Sohl

This page was last edited on 02/03/08