A medium-sized (5 inches) wood warbler, the male Blackburnian Warbler is most easily identified by its black back, streaked flanks, and bright orange face patches. Female Blackburnian Warblers are grayish-brown on the back and yellow on the face, resembling faded males. Both sexes of the related American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) are similarly dark with yellow and orange patches, but whereas the Blackburnian Warbler has bright areas on its face, the bright areas present on the plumage of that species are concentrated on the wings and tail. The Blackburnian Warbler breeds across southern Canada and the northeastern United States. This species is also present at higher elevations in the Appalachian Mountains as far south as northern Georgia. In winter, Yellow-throated Warblers may be found from Costa Rica south to Peru. Blackburnian Warblers breed in a variety of dense woodland habitats, particularly those largely composed of evergreen trees. In winter, this species may be found in humid tropical forests. Blackburnian Warblers primarily eat small invertebrates, including insects and spiders, but may also eat a small amount of plant material, mainly fruits and berries, during the winter. In appropriate habitat, Blackburnian Warblers may be observed flitting through high branches in tall trees while foraging for insects. Birdwatchers may also listen for this species’ song, a whistled “zip zip zip titi tseeeeee. ” Blackburnian Warblers are primarily active during the day, but, like many migratory songbirds, this species undertakes part of its migration at night.
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Bibliographic Citation: Rumelt, Reid B. Setophaga fusca. June-July 2012. Brief natural history summary of Setophaga fusca. Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C.
