Cerulean Warblers are becoming a less and less common sight in the eastern United States, as habitat loss and fragmentation is thought to be behind a steady decline in recent decades. They are also fairly common hosts to Cowbird parasitism. They have been found fairly regularly in Newton Hills State Park, but there are no regular records of breeding there (SDOU).
Habitat
Found in mature deciduous forests with a relatively open understory during the summer breeding season, especially along rivers and streams. Winters in similar forest habitats during the winter, often near forest edges and clearings.
Diet
Diet not well-known, but thought to feed almost exclusively on insects.
Behavior
Usually forages high in the trees, rapidly flitting from branch to branch in search of food items. Will also occasionally fly from perches to catch flying insects.
Breeding
Non-breeder in South Dakota
Song
A rapid buzzy song rising at the end. Click here to listen to the Cerulean Warbler's song.
Migration
Summers in scattered portions of the eastern United States and extreme southeastern Canada. Winters in South America.
Similar Species
Black-throated Blue Warbler
South Dakota "Hotspot"
A very rare visitor anywhere in the state, but Newton Hills State Park in Lincoln County is undoubtedly the best location to try and find these birds in South Dakota. They have been found there fairly regularly during the summer months and may be breeders there, although confirmed nesting records are few.
Conservation Status
Numbers are in decline in recent decades, most likely due to habitat loss and habitat fragmentation, both in its summer breeding grounds and on its wintering grounds.
Photo Information
Photo from Kentucky, courtesy of Lana Hays
Interactive eBird Map
Click to access the eBird species page for Cerulean Warbler
