Mniotilta varia
The Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) is a distinctive passerine celebrated for its striking black and white striped plumage and unique foraging style. Measuring approximately 11-13 cm (4.3-5.1 in) in length with a wingspan of 20-22 cm (7.9-8.7 in) and weighing around 8-15 g (0.28-0.53 oz), it presents a slender, active profile. Its most distinctive field marks are the bold longitudinal black and white stripes covering its head, back, and underparts, and its habit of creeping along tr...
Primarily inhabits mature deciduous and mixed deciduous-coniferous forests, often favoring areas with moist understories, ravines, and extensive tracts of older growth, from lowlands to moderate elevations.
Feeds almost exclusively on insects and other small arthropods, including caterpillars, beetle larvae, spiders, and insect eggs, meticulously gleaning them from tree bark and crevices.
Black-and-white Warblers are diurnal, highly active foragers, often seen creeping up and down tree trunks and branches in search of prey, similar to nuthatches or creepers. Males establish and defend breeding territories through persistent singing, a high-pitched, reedy "weesee weesee weesee." Th...
The breeding range of the Black-and-white Warbler spans across eastern North America, from southern Canada (including provinces like Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritimes) south through the eastern and central United States. This includes the Appalachian Mountains, Great Lakes region, and ...
Least Concern
- The Black-and-white Warbler is the only New World warbler that routinely forages by creeping along tree trunks and branches like a nuthatch or creeper. - Its scientific genus name, Mniotilta, comes from Greek words meaning "moss-plucker," referring to its habit of probing bark. - The female Bla...