Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca), male
Blackburnian Warbler, Male

Blackburnian Warbler

Setophaga fusca

The Blackburnian Warbler, a small New World warbler, is a creature of remarkable beauty. It is a diminutive passerine, measuring approximately 11 to 13 cm in length with a wingspan stretching from 20 to 22 cm. The average weight of an adult is a mere 9.7 grams, though this can increase slightly in the autumn months due to fat reserves. The male, in his summer plumage, is a spectacle of nature with a dark gray back, double white wing bars, and a yellowish rump. His crown is a rich dark brown, while his underparts are a pristine white, tinged with yellow and streaked with black. The head is a striking pattern of yellow and black, with a flaming-orange throat that sets him apart from all other North American warblers.

Identification Tips

The Blackburnian Warbler is almost unmistakable when seen well. The male's bright orange throat, yellow supercilium, and contrasting grey cheeks are distinctive. The female and fall male are less vibrant but still identifiable by their dull-yellow supercilium, yellow throat, and dark streaky sides and back. The Blackburnian Warbler's song is a series of high "swi" notes, often ascending in pitch, and their call is a high "sip."

Habitat

These warblers favor mature coniferous woodlands, particularly during the breeding season. They are found in the southeastern part of Canada's boreal forest and continue down through New England and the Appalachian Mountains in mixed woodlands rich with spruce and hemlocks.

Distribution

The Blackburnian Warbler breeds in eastern North America, from southern Canada to North Carolina, and winters in southern Central America and South America. They are rare vagrants to western Europe.

Behaviour

Blackburnian Warblers are solitary in winter and highly territorial during breeding. They do not typically mix with other passerine species outside of migration. However, during migration, they may join mixed foraging flocks with species like chickadees, kinglets, and nuthatches.

Song & Calls

Their songs are a simple series of high "swi" notes, which often ascend in pitch. Their call is a high "sip."

Breeding

The breeding season begins in mid-May to early June, with the nest being an open cup of twigs and bark, lined with lichens and moss. The female lays three to five whitish eggs, and the nest is usually placed on a horizontal branch, 2 to 38 meters above the ground.

Similar Species

The flame-throated warbler of Central America has an orange throat but lacks the contrasting blackish streaking and whitish underside of the male Blackburnian.

Diet and Feeding

Primarily insectivorous, the Blackburnian Warbler's diet is dominated by moth and butterfly larvae. They may also consume berries in winter and are known to forage in treetops, often helping to control populations of spruce budworm.

Conservation Status

The Blackburnian Warbler is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Despite the potential threat of habitat destruction, which could lead to significant habitat loss, the species continues to have a large range and stable numbers where habitat is appropriate.

Blackburnian Warbler Sounds

β€Œ
Recorded by: © 
App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Blackburnian Warblers on Birda

Photos
Sightings

More New World Warblers

Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
David C
Very knowledgeable group
Nice friendly birding community. Very knowledgeable group with a willingness to help.
Chudbond
Love Birda
I love this app. It really encourages you to log your sightings and the community is friendly and helpful.
Nedz53
Really useful
Downloaded to give it a try, everything worked perfectly, recorded my first bird watching walk. Very impressed. Have already recommended to friends!
Pdydhdrexgi
Fantastic App
This is a really lovely app, for everyone interested in birds - from newbies to old hands. There is a very friendly feel to the community and you will genuinely learn a lot as you record your sightings and photos. There are lots of badges and competitions to keep you engaged, and a host of really useful features.
Viperray5
Loving it
I really enjoy being able to interact with other birders on this platform! This seems like a great way to meet other birders and find some new spots.
Tralisalandhoop
Fantastic app - Love it!
Love this app and have used it almost daily. Lots of species information and easy to use. Love seeing birds spotted by other users in the UK and worldwide.
Anonymous
The best bird logging app
Birda is honestly the best bird logging app I have seen. I love all the features it has from being able to do a session and log all the birds you see in one sitting, to being able to connect with other birders from all over the globe!
Madstherangers
A mordern game changer
Birda is an awesome app, its updated the world of birding to the modern day with a fun and easy to use app. It’s engaging and allows positive interaction with fellow bird lovers!
JCBirding
Just what birding needs
We need more fun in birding, for years it has had a reputation for being up tight and stuffy and only perused by retirees and anoraks. Birda helps change that perception and firmly brings birding into the 21st century! Fun, interactive while still contributing to science and conservation. If you aren’t on it, why not??
D3Nature
Great app for learning Birds
I’ve been using the app for a couple of months and love it....Someone said it’s like a real life PokΓ©mon Go for birds. They’re not far off! It’s something that the family can do that gets you out and about. Well worth downloading no matter your age.
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright Β© 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.