Black and White Warbler

Continuing to share my warbler photos along with information about each species, from my latest book: "Warblers of Arizona, A Guide to Finding and Photographing Warblers in Southern Arizona." 

If you are interested in purchasing it, please email me at exclusivelywildlifephotos.com or info@azuregate.com.

Black and White Warbler

Common Name: Black and White Warbler

Scientific Name: Mniotilta varia

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Conservation Status: Least Concern, though declined by 33% over the past 50 years; disappearing in its Mid-West US range; global estimates of 20 million

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Size: 5.1 inches

Description: crown is black and white striped; supercilium is white; white eyering; black cheek; long slightly curved black bill; black throat in male; two white wing bars; breast and belly are white; flanks have black stripes; nape is striped; back is mostly black; tail is fairly long with white spots; heavier and longer hind claw to help them move around on bark

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Male/Female: males and females appear somewhat similar though males have a black throat and are generally darker with higher contrast

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Range: Northwest Territory to Peru; excluding Western North America

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Migration: breeds in Central and Eastern United States and Canada, winters in Mexico, Central America, and Northwestern South America

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Season for Arizona: Spring and Fall

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Habitat: broad leaf or mixed mature woodland near water

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Community Behavior: solitary or small mixed warbler flock; combative and will attack other species or other Black and White Warblers that enter their territory

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Feeding Behavior: forages like nuthatches creeping up or down tree trunks and larger branches of older trees, especially cottonwoods

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Diet: insects, caterpillars, beetles, ants, flies, bugs, and spiders; also moth and butterfly larvae

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Nesting Behavior: cup nest on the ground with 4 or 5 creamy white eggs with bluish spots; incubation period is 10-12 days; nestling period is 8-10 days

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Where to Find in Southern Arizona: a rare transient to Arizona; check Sweetwater Wetlands; but also watch for reports on ABA Birding News

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Comments: This is one of the more easily seen warblers when present because of its feeding behavior since it is on open tree trunks and branches instead of being buried in clumps of leaves or pine needles; once called the “Black and White Creeper"