Magnolia Warbler (Dendroica magnolia)

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Magnolia Warbler (Emberizidae: Dendroica magnolia)

The Warblers are a large group of birds found throughout North America. Several warbler species breed in the Northern Boreal Forest including the Magnolia Warbler. Warblers are great favorites of bird watchers because of their bright colors (during the breeding season) and the variation in appearance between the species. To give you some impression of the variety of patterns among the species, two other warbler species are shown on the left. Warblers are migratory with most species wintering in the American Tropics. The species of the Northern Boreal Forest are most commonly seen in the spring and fall as they move from the wintering grounds to the south to the northern breeding regions.

The Magnolia Warbler breeds in the Northern Boreal Forest dipping down into the transitional regions with the Eastern Deciduous Forest. The species winters in the tropics.

Characteristic Features: The Magnolia Warbler is bright yellow below with prominent black streaks. A black mask edged with white above covers the eye, although these markings are far stronger in the male than the female. There are broad, white patches on the sides of the tail.

Habitat: In the breeding season Magnolia Warblers are found in open stands of young spruce and fir. During migration they can be found in any place where there are trees or shrubs.

Food: Primarily insects.

Behavior: The song is a rising weeta-weeta-weeteo. The species forages primarily in trees, but during migration are occasionally found foraging on the ground.

Reproduction: The nest is constructed of twigs and grass lined with small roots. The nest is in a conifer tree. The clutch consists of 4 brown spotted white eggs.