blackburnian warbler (Dendroica fusca)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION:

• Length: 4.25 inches

• small, active, insect-eating bird

• Mostly forages very high in the canopy

• Thin, pointed bill

• Dark legs

Adult male alternate:

• Black crown and cheeks

• Fiery orange forehead, supercilium, side of neck, throat, and breast

• Black nape, back and wings

• White patch on wing

• White streaks on back

• Lower breast faintly tinged with orange becoming white on undertail      coverts

• Fine black streaks on sides of breast to flanks

Female, basic and immature:

• Pale orange to yellow face and breast

• Crown, cheek, and upperparts brownish-olive

• Pale streaks on darker back

• Two white wing bars

• White belly and undertail coverts

• Faint, dark streaks on sides

Similar species:

In alternate plumage, the bright orange throat and face pattern of the
male are diagnostic. Often, the face pattern cannot be seen as the bird
forages high in the canopy. However, the orange breast and black streaks
on the sides are distinctive. Female and immature plumages are duller
but can be distinguished by the broad yellow supercilium contrasting with
the brownish crown and cheek. In fall, black-throated green warbler is
similar but has a greenish cheek and crown that don't contrast much with
the yellow supercilium. Townsend's warbler also has a broad yellow
supercilium but has a darker cheek and crown making the face pattern
appear much more striking. Both Townsend's and black-throated green
warblers lack the pale streaks on the back of the blackburnian.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status: Neotropical migrant
Breeding Habitat: Woodland
Nest Location: Mid-story/canopy nesting
Nest Type: Open-cup
Clutch Size: 4-5
Length of Incubation: 11-12(?) days
Days to Fledge: ?
Number of Broods: ?
Diet: Primarily insects; lesser quantities of fruit

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May R
      Su - Summer: June, July, August
      Fall: September, October, November R

      Winter: December, January, February

 

 

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