Blackpoll Warbler

Near Threatened

Setophaga striata

A long-distance champion of the skies, this tiny songbird flies an incredible 1,800-mile non-stop journey over the Atlantic Ocean during its fall migration.

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Blackpoll Warbler is one of the larger warblers in its family. Breeding males are striking with their black and white coloring - they have a distinctive black cap on top, white cheeks with a black stripe, and gray backs streaked with black.

Their white underparts show bold black streaks along the sides. Two white wing bars stand out against their dark wings, and their tail has prominent white spots.

Females and non-breeding birds are more subtly colored, typically olive-gray to olive-green above, with dark streaks. They show pale stripes above their eyes and variable streaking on their underparts, which can range from whitish to having a slight yellow tinge.

Both sexes have dull orange to yellow legs and feet.

Size

Length

13cm to 15cm

Wingspan

20cm to 23cm

Weight

12g to 13g

Colours

Primary Colour

Black White

Secondary Colour

Grey Olive

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Orange Yellow

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

Garden

Wetland

Coastal

Urban

Farmland

Grassland

Desert

Tundra

Rainforest

Mountain

Savanna

Distribution

Blackpoll Warblers breed in boreal forests across Canada and Alaska, favoring spruce-fir forests near the treeline. Their breeding range extends south into the northeastern United States, including parts of New England and New York.

During migration, they can be found in a variety of wooded habitats across eastern North America. They winter in northern South America, particularly in the Amazon basin and surrounding regions.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 3,000 meters

Climate zones

Subarctic, Temperate, Tropical

Distribution Map

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Resident
Breeding
Non-breeding
Passage
Vagrant

Distribution by Region

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Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85
Strength 45
Adaptability 90
Aggressiveness 35
Endurance 95

Diet

Blackpoll Warblers primarily feed on insects and spiders. During the breeding season, they consume large quantities of spruce budworms, playing a crucial role in forest pest control.

In migration and winter, they supplement their diet with small fruits and seeds, which are especially important for fueling their long-distance flights.

Behaviour

Blackpoll Warblers are known for their impressive long-distance migration, flying non-stop over the Atlantic Ocean for up to 88 hours, flying at speeds of around 27 mph (43 km/h).

During the breeding season, they forage actively in the upper canopy of coniferous forests, gleaning insects from leaves and branches with quick, agile movements.

Vocalisation

The Blackpoll Warbler's song is a simple series of high-pitched, thin notes on one pitch, often described as sounding like a tiny sewing machine. It's typically rendered as "tsi tsi tsi tsi tsi tsi tsi". Their call is a sharp, high "chip" or "tsip", often given during migration.

Nesting & Breeding

Breeding occurs from late May to July. Males establish territories and attract females with their high-pitched songs. Females build cup-shaped nests, typically placed on horizontal branches of conifers, close to the trunk.

The nest is constructed with twigs, bark strips, and grasses, lined with feathers and fine plant materials. Females lay 3-5 eggs, which are white or creamy with brown speckles.

Incubation lasts about 12 days, primarily by the female. Both parents feed the nestlings, which fledge after 9-10 days. Fledglings remain dependent on their parents for several more weeks.

Lifespan

Typical Lifespan Range 3 - 6 years
Max Recorded Lifespan 8.1 years [1]
0
3
5
8
10

years

The Blackpoll Warbler typically lives for 3 to 6 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 8.1 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Near Threatened [2]

The Blackpoll Warbler is listed as Near Threatened. While their remote breeding grounds are largely protected, they face several challenges. Climate change poses a significant threat to their mountain breeding habitats, with models suggesting that even small temperature increases could dramatically reduce available habitat.

During migration, they can suffer significant casualties from collisions with towers, wind turbines, and other tall structures. However, their ability to use various habitats means that tropical deforestation in their wintering grounds may be less critical than originally thought.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

60,000,000 mature individuals [3]

Global Population Trend

Decreasing[4]

Birdwatching Tips

  • Look for Blackpolls in spruce forests during the breeding season
  • Listen for their high-pitched, insect-like song
  • During fall migration, watch for them in mixed flocks in deciduous trees
  • In the eastern United States, look for them in coastal areas during migration

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Blackpoll

Family:

Parulidae

Predators

Main predators include hawks, owls, and falcons. Nest predators such as jays, crows, and squirrels also pose threats to eggs and nestlings.

Did You Know?

  1. Blackpoll Warblers nearly double their body mass before their fall migration.
  2. They have the longest migration of any North American warbler, traveling up to 12,000 miles round trip.
  3. Their fall migration route over the Atlantic Ocean was confirmed using miniature geolocators in 2015.

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References

  1. 2

    website: BirdLife International. 2018. Setophaga striata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22721737A131459482.

    View source
  2. 4

    report, 2016: Partners in Flight Landbird Conservation Plan; Rosenberg et al.

  3. 3

    website, 2020: Partners in Flight

    View source
  4. 1

    website: Historical Longevity Records of North American Birds

    View source