This comprehensive manual provides assistance in identifying the various warbler species commonly found in Montana. Through the utilization of photo identification, detailed descriptions, captivating audio recordings of their enchanting songs, and intriguing facts, this guide offers an immersive experience.
Warblers, being diminutive migratory songbirds, undertake arduous journeys spanning vast distances, traveling from South America all the way to their breeding grounds in Canada. These lively and resplendent creatures dart through the skies, donning vibrant hues of yellow and green, accompanied by a magnificent symphony of diverse melodies.
Recognized as wood-warblers in North America, these avian species predominantly inhabit woodlands and forests. It is worth noting that avid birdwatchers may occasionally experience “warbler neck,” a discomforting condition characterized by a stiff and tingling sensation in the neck, resulting from prolonged periods of gazing upward into the trees through binoculars in search of these elusive creatures.
Warblers exhibit a primarily insectivorous diet, although they occasionally partake in seeds or mealworms from backyard feeders. Additionally, this guide provides a complimentary identification chart, enabling enthusiasts to identify other bird species that frequently visit Montana.
The present manual is designed to facilitate the identification of regularly occurring warbler species in Montana. Drawing from data collected by birdwatchers on ebird and corroborated by avibase, it provides factual information regarding the optimal periods for spotting these avian wonders.
For each warbler species detailed within this compendium, listeners can delight in their melodious songs and access a comprehensive guide on the distinct types of warbler vocalizations. Furthermore, readers can explore a supplementary resource encompassing 13 easily recognizable warbler songs, rendering identification endeavors even more accessible.
Warblers in Montana by Season:
During the summer season in Montana, one can encounter the following warbler species: Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, MacGillivray’s Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Wilson’s Warbler, American Redstart, Northern Waterthrush, Townsend’s Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Ovenbird, and Tennessee Warbler.
During migration, the following warbler species grace Montana: Blackpoll Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Palm Warbler, Mourning Warbler, Cape May Warbler, Canada Warbler, Northern Parula, and Black-throated Blue Warbler.
Montana hosts a total of 23 warbler species:
1. Yellow Warbler
Yellow Warblers, the most frequently encountered yellow avians during the breeding season in Montana, grace the region from May to October, making appearances in approximately 30% of summer checklists. These small, brilliantly yellow birds possess yellow-green backs, while males feature chestnut streaks on their breasts. Females and juveniles exhibit less vibrancy and lack the distinctive streaks.
Setophaga petechia
Length: 4.7-5.1 inches (12-13 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.4 ounces (9-11 g)
Wingspan: 6.3-7.9 inches (16-20 cm)
Yellow Warblers embark on extensive migratory journeys, breeding in Canada and the United States (excluding southeastern states) before migrating to Central and South America for the winter. However, during migration, they can be observed in southeastern US states. These delightful creatures often forage along streams, wetlands, thickets, and field edges in search of insects, including caterpillars, midges, beetles, bugs, and wasps.
Fun Fact: Yellow Warbler nests, constructed using a combination of bark, grass, plant material, and secured with spider webs, form
cup-shaped structures. They are further lined with softer materials like hair, feathers, and plant down. Remarkably, when faced with cowbird intrusion, Yellow Warblers exhibit remarkable resilience by constructing new nests atop the old ones, repeating this process up to six times!
To entice Yellow Warblers to your backyard, consider providing suet, oranges, peanut butter, and plants bearing berries. Embrace a natural approach by cultivating native plants that attract insects without resorting to pesticides or excessive tidiness. Additionally, the presence of birdbaths with fountains near secluded plantings can provide protective cover.
2. Yellow-rumped Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warblers can be spotted in western Montana during the breeding season, with their numbers peaking during migration in May and September. They appear in approximately 22% of summer checklists and up to 39% of migration checklists.
Distinguished by their gray plumage adorned with flashes of yellow on the face, sides, and rump, as well as white in their wings, Yellow-rumped Warblers exhibit slight brownish tones in females. During winter, these birds assume a paler brown appearance, with bright yellow rumps and sides that regain their gray and yellow hues in spring.
Two subspecies exist: the Myrtle Warbler, lacking a yellow throat and prevalent in the eastern US and boreal forests of Canada, and the Audubon’s Warbler, featuring additional white in its wings, and primarily observed in western regions.
Setophaga coronata
Length: 4.7-5.5 inches (12-14 cm)
Weight: 0.4-0.5 ounces (12-13 g)
Wingspan: 7.5-9.1 inches (19-23 cm)
Yellow-rumped Warblers primarily breed in Canada, parts of the Rockies, and the Appalachian mountains. During migration, they traverse the Midwest before wintering in southern and southwestern US states, the Pacific Coast, Mexico, and Central America.
These warblers can be found in coniferous forests during the breeding season and open areas with fruiting shrubs in winter. They predominantly consume insects during summer and shift towards a diet rich in fruit, including bayberry and wax myrtle, during migration and winter.
Fun Fact: During winter, Yellow-rumped Warblers form impressive flocks numbering in the thousands, and they exhibit territorial aggression towards intruding species.
3. Common Yellowthroat
Montana welcomes the presence of Common Yellowthroats primarily during the breeding season, with observations recorded in approximately 11% of summer checklists. These birds arrive in May and commence their migration in October.
Common Yellowthroats, characterized by their small size, brownish backs, and vibrant yellow underbellies, feature long tails. The males boast black masks adorning their faces. The brightness of their yellow plumage can exhibit geographical variation, with some populations displaying a more olive hue on the underparts.
Geothlypis trichas
Length: 4.3-5.1 inches (11-13 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.3 ounces (9-10 g)
Wingspan: 5.9-7.5 inches (15-19 cm)
These avian wonders embark on summer breeding journeys across North America, excluding Alaska and northern Canada. While some remain year-round inhabitants along the Gulf Coast and Pacific Southwest, the majority undertake southward migration for the winter.
Common Yellowthroats predominantly inhabit marshy areas, wetlands, and brushy fields, thriving amidst dense, tangled vegetation.
Fun Fact: The black masks adorning the faces of male Common Yellowthroats serve as a visual cue during courtship. Interestingly, these males will attack decoy birds but remain unresponsive when the
decoy lacks the characteristic mask.
4. MacGillivray’s Warbler
MacGillivray’s Warblers primarily grace the western region of Montana during their breeding season, spanning from May to September. They manifest in approximately 5% of summer checklists.
Characterized by their small, robust physique, MacGillivray’s Warblers exhibit distinctive features in males, including slate gray heads, black bands across their eyes, and grayish spots that transition to black from under the bill to the throat. Females, on the other hand, boast light-gray heads and throats devoid of black markings. Both genders possess olive-gray backs, yellow bellies, and crescent-shaped partial eyerings in white.
Geothlypis tolmiei
Length: 5.25 inches (13 cm)
Weight: 0.4 ounces (11 g)
Wingspan: 8.25 inches (21 cm)
Breeding predominantly in northwestern US states and western Canada, MacGillivray’s Warblers embark on migration journeys towards Mexico and Central America.
These warblers prefer areas teeming with dense shrubbery and vegetation. They thrive in shady thickets near streams, logged forests with fallen trees, and regions affected by fires with dead trees.
MacGillivray’s Warblers forage on the ground, either hopping or flying at low altitudes, in pursuit of insects such as beetles and caterpillars.
Fun Fact: The nomenclature of MacGillivray’s Warblers bears an interesting history. They were named after Dr. W. MacGillivray, a friend of renowned ornithologist John James Audubon. However, John Kirk Townsend had already given the species a name in honor of Dr. W. T. Tolmie, leading to the compromise of the scientific name “tolmiei.”
5. Orange-crowned Warbler
During the breeding season, Orange-crowned Warblers frequent western Montana, while migration patterns bring them across the rest of the state. They grace approximately 4% of summer checklists and up to 10% of migration checklists.
Orange-crowned Warblers exhibit a modest coloration, with yellow-olive feathers dominating their appearance, accentuated by a rarely visible orange crown. Notably, individuals inhabiting the Pacific Coast tend to exhibit more vibrant yellow hues. Males, females, and juveniles share similar appearances, although the latter appear grayer.
Leiothlypis celata
Length: 4.3-5.5 inches (11-14 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.4 ounces (7-11 g)
Wingspan: 7.5 inches (19 cm)
Breeding occurs in Canada and western US states, followed by migration to the Pacific, East and Gulf Coasts, Mexico, and Central America. However, northeastern US states do not witness their presence during migration.
Orange-crowned Warblers can be found amidst shrubs, low-lying vegetation, and open woodlands during their breeding phase. Their diet consists mainly of spiders and insects such as caterpillars and flies. They also exhibit a fondness for fruit, berries, and seeds, often visiting backyard feeders.
Fun Fact: Orange-crowned Warblers have been observed drinking from the sapwells of sapsuckers and woodpeckers.
6. Wilson’s Warbler
Wilson’s Warblers make appearances in Montana during spring and fall migration, while some individuals also spend the breeding season in the western part of the state.
These tiny, rounded yellow warblers feature a large black cap in males and a smaller black cap in females.
Cardellina pusilla
Length: 3.9-4.7 inches (10-12 cm)
Weight: 0.2-0.3 ounces (5-10 g)
Wingspan: 5.5-6.7 inches (14-17 cm)
Breeding primarily occurs in Canada, Alaska, and northwestern US states, with migration encompassing all US states. Winter months find Wilson’s Warblers venturing southward to Mexico and Central America.
Wilson’s Warblers prefer habitats along streams, thickets, and forest edges, where they diligently forage for insects, larvae, and spiders.
Fun Fact: Wilson’s Warblers employ a clever distraction tactic when faced with potential nest predators. They simulate a broken wing, diverting the predator’s attention before swiftly flying away.
7. American Redstart
American Redstarts frequent Montana during the summer season, spanning from May to September, appearing in around 4% of checklists during this period.
These predominantly black birds boast striking orange patches and a white belly. While males exhibit vibrant plumage, females adopt olive-gray tones with yellow patches.
Setophaga ruticilla
Length: 4.3-5.1 inches (11-13 cm)
Weight: 0.2-0.3 ounces (6-9 g)
Wingspan: 6.3-7.5 inches (16-19 cm)
Breeding occurs in eastern US states and Canada, with some individuals witnessed during migration in central and western US states.
American Redstarts thrive in deciduous woodlands, where they actively hunt insects. They are also known to frequent backyards and thickets, indulging in berries like serviceberry and magnolia.
Fun Fact: The song of American Redstarts features a drop in pitch towards the end.
8. Northern Waterthrush
Northern Waterthrushes make appearances primarily in western Montana during the summer season, extending from May to October. They are documented in around 3% of summer checklists.
These thrush-like birds possess similar traits in both males and females. They exhibit brown heads adorned with thick white eyebrows, dark brown backs, and streaked white bellies extending from their throats to their rumps.
Parkesia noveboracensis
Length: 5.75 inches (15 cm)
Weight: 0.8 ounces (23 g)
Wingspan: 8.75 inches (22 cm)
Northern Waterthrushes breed in Canada, Alaska, and northeastern US states, embarking on migration journeys to Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. A portion of the population remains year-round in Central and South America.
These warblers favor dark, woody swamps, thickets, and bogs, with a particular affinity for areas featuring still or sluggish water. During winter in the tropics, they often congregate amidst mangroves.
Northern Waterthrushes exhibit both aquatic and terrestrial foraging behaviors, utilizing their long legs to traverse shallow water while hunting for water beetles, mosquitoes, slugs, crustaceans, snails, and occasional small fish. They also indulge in caterpillars, moths, and ants found beneath leaves.
Fun Fact: Northern Waterthrushes commonly walk instead of hopping and display a characteristic tail bobbing motion, lending them an appearance of being off-balance.
9. Townsend’s Warbler
Townsend’s Warblers grace Montana from mid-April to October, primarily observed in approximately 3% of summer checklists.
These small birds showcase striking patterns, with males donning black crowns, cheeks, and throats. They feature yellow eyebrows, a yellow crescent beneath their eyes, and yellow bellies. Their yellow upper backs display distinctive black spots. Black wings adorned with two white wingbars complement their white bellies.
Setophaga townsendi
Length: 4.75-5 inches (12-13 cm)
Weight: 0.3 ounces (9 g)
Wingspan: 7.5-8 inches (19-20 cm)
Breeding predominantly occurs in western Canada, northwestern US states, and Alaska, with migration routes spanning across the majority of US states. Winter months find them seeking refuge in the Pacific Coast, Mexico, and Central America.
Townsend’s Warblers prefer tall, dense coniferous forests along the coastal belt and mountainous regions. They exhibit a preference for areas featuring pine, oak, alder, madrone, and laurel.
Foraging among twigs and branches, Townsend’s Warblers diligently search for insects such as caterpillars, bugs, beetles, and leafhoppers. They may also hover amidst foliage to secure their food source.
Fun Fact: Townsend’s Warblers engage in territorial behavior around sugary excretions produced by scale insects.
10. Nashville Warbler
Nashville Warblers are commonly observed in western Montana from mid-April to October, accounting for approximately 1% of summer checklists.
These warblers feature predominantly yellow plumage with a green back and a gray head adorned with a white eye-ring. Females and juveniles exhibit slightly less vibrancy compared to males. Notably, they possess distinct white bellies between their yellow breasts and tails.
Leiothlypis ruficapilla
Length: 4.3-5.1 inches (11-13 cm)
Weight: 0.2-0.5 ounces (6.7-13.9 g)
Wingspan: 6.7-7.9 inches (17-20 cm)
Nashville Warblers breed in northeastern US states and Canada, with a smaller population inhabiting northwestern US states and British Columbia. They can be sighted during migration across most US states.
These warblers thrive in scrubby habitats, low-lying deciduous forests, and exhibit a penchant for insect hunting.
Fun Fact: Nashville Warblers exhibit a preference for nesting near trees or shrubs, constructing nests from bark, moss, grass, leaves, and pine needles.
11. Yellow-breasted Chat
Yellow-breasted Chats are sporadically spotted in Montana during the summer breeding season, occurring in less than 1% of summer checklists.
These unique warblers possess a robust build with a yellow breast, olive-green back, and a distinctive white eyering. They have long tails and a bold, charismatic personality.
Icteria virens
Length: 7-7.5 inches (18-19 cm)
Weight: 0.9-1.1 ounces (26-31 g)
Wingspan: 8.5-9.5 inches (22-24 cm)
Yellow-breasted Chats primarily breed in the eastern and central parts of the United States, extending into southern Canada. They thrive in dense thickets, shrubs, and overgrown habitats, often near water sources.
These warblers have a unique and varied song that includes a mix of whistles, clucks, and mimicry of other bird species. They are known for their secretive nature, making them challenging to spot despite their vibrant appearance.
Fun Fact: Yellow-breasted Chats are known for their exceptional mimicry skills, imitating the songs of other birds and even the sounds of mechanical objects.
12. Ovenbird
Ovenbirds can be observed in Montana during the summer breeding season, occurring in less than 1% of summer checklists.
These warblers possess a brownish-olive upper body with streaks on their back and a white belly with dark spots. They have a distinct orange crown stripe bordered by black lines.
Seiurus aurocapilla
Length: 5-6 inches (13-15 cm)
Weight: 0.5-0.6 ounces (14-17 g)
Wingspan: 7.5-9 inches (19-23 cm)
Ovenbirds breed in northeastern US states and Canada, preferring deciduous forests with dense undergrowth. Their unique name comes from the shape of their nest, which resembles an old-fashioned outdoor oven.
Known for their loud, ringing song that resembles the phrase “teacher, teacher, teacher,” Ovenbirds spend most of their time foraging on the forest floor, flipping leaves to uncover insects, spiders, and small invertebrates.
Fun Fact: Ovenbirds construct their nests on the ground, using leaves, twigs, and other plant materials, creating a domed structure with an entrance on the side.
13. Tennessee Warbler
Tennessee Warblers make occasional appearances in Montana during the spring and fall migration seasons.
These small, active warblers exhibit olive-green upperparts, yellowish underparts, and a gray head with a pale eyering.
Leiothlypis peregrina
Length: 4.3-5.1 inches (11-13 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.4 ounces (8-11 g)
Wingspan: 6.7-7.5 inches (17-19 cm)
Tennessee Warblers breed in boreal forests across Canada and Alaska. During migration, they traverse through central and eastern US states before heading to their wintering grounds in Central and South America.
These warblers prefer wooded habitats, particularly spruce and fir forests, where they actively search for insects, spiders, and small berries.
Fun Fact: Tennessee Warblers are known for their strong and rapid flight, making them skilled long-distance migrants.
14. Blackpoll Warbler
Blackpoll Warblers are occasionally observed in Montana during the spring and fall migration periods.
These small warblers exhibit black and white plumage, with males boasting a distinctive black cap and females displaying a gray cap. They have white wingbars and a streaked breast.
Setophaga striata
Length: 4.7-5.5 inches (12-14 cm)
Weight: 0.4-0.5 ounces (11-14 g)
Wingspan: 7.5-9.5 inches (19-24 cm)
Blackpoll Warblers breed in boreal forests across Canada and Alaska, with some individuals found in the northeastern United States. During migration, they undertake a remarkable journey, flying nonstop for up to 88 hours over the Atlantic Ocean to reach their wintering grounds in South America.
These warblers favor coniferous forests and spend much of their time high in the tree canopy, foraging for insects, spiders, and caterpillars.
Fun Fact: Blackpoll Warblers hold the record for the longest nonstop migration flight of any songbird, covering a distance of approximately 1,500 to 2,300 miles.
15. Black-and-white Warbler
Black-and-white Warblers make occasional appearances in Montana during the spring and fall migration seasons.
These unique warblers exhibit bold black and white striped patterns on their back, wings, and head. They have a white belly and a distinctive thin bill.
Mniotilta varia
Length: 4.3-5.1 inches (11-13 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.4 ounces (9-11 g)
Wingspan: 7.5-9 inches (19-23 cm)
Black-and-white Warblers breed in northeastern US states and Canada, primarily in deciduous and mixed forests. During migration, they traverse through central and eastern US states.
These warblers are known for their distinctive behavior of “creeping” along tree trunks and branches, foraging for insects and spiders hidden in bark crevices.
Fun Fact: Black-and-white Warblers have a unique song that sounds like a high-pitched “wee-see, wee-see, wee-see.”
16. Magnolia Warbler
Magnolia Warblers occasionally pass through Montana during the spring and fall migration periods.
These small, colorful warblers display a striking pattern with a black mask, yellow throat, and bright yellow underparts. They have black streaks on their back and wings.
Setophaga magnolia
Length: 4.3-5.1 inches (11-13 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.4 ounces (9-11 g)
Wingspan: 7.5-9 inches (19-23 cm)
Magnolia Warblers breed in Canada and northeastern US states, primarily in coniferous and mixed forests. During migration, they traverse through central and eastern US states.
These warblers forage actively in the forest canopy, feasting on insects, spiders, and small fruits.
Fun Fact: Despite its name, the Magnolia Warbler does not have a significant association with magnolia trees. The species was named after a French naturalist, Pierre Magnol, rather than the flower.
17. Chestnut-sided Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warblers pass through Montana during the spring and fall migration seasons.
These small warblers exhibit a striking combination of bright yellow underparts, a white belly, and chestnut-colored flanks. They have a gray head with a distinctive yellow crown stripe.
Setophaga pensylvanica
Length: 4.7-5.1 inches (12-13 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.4 ounces (9-11 g)
Wingspan: 7.5-8.5 inches (19-22 cm)
Chestnut-sided Warblers breed in northeastern US states and Canada, primarily in deciduous and mixed forests. During migration, they traverse through central and eastern US states.
These warblers prefer shrubby habitats near forest edges
and clearings, where they actively forage for insects and small fruits.
Fun Fact: Chestnut-sided Warblers are known for their distinct song, which includes a series of buzzy notes and a characteristic “pleased, pleased, pleased to meet you” phrase.
18. Palm Warbler
Palm Warblers pass through Montana during the spring and fall migration seasons.
These small warblers exhibit a brownish-olive upper body and a yellow undertail. They have a distinct rusty cap and a yellow eyebrow.
Setophaga palmarum
Length: 4.7-5.1 inches (12-13 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.4 ounces (9-11 g)
Wingspan: 7.5-8.5 inches (19-22 cm)
Palm Warblers breed in the boreal forests of Canada and Alaska. During migration, they traverse through central and eastern US states, as well as the Atlantic Coast.
These warblers are known for their distinctive tail-wagging behavior, often seen flicking their tails up and down while foraging for insects on the ground.
Fun Fact: Palm Warblers get their name from their wintering grounds, where they frequently inhabit palm trees in the southeastern United States and the Caribbean.
19. Mourning Warbler
Mourning Warblers occasionally pass through Montana during the spring and fall migration periods.
These small warblers have a unique coloration, with blue-gray upperparts, a yellow belly, and a distinctive black mask extending from the bill to the eye.
Geothlypis philadelphia
Length: 4.3-5.1 inches (11-13 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.4 ounces (9-11 g)
Wingspan: 7.5-8 inches (19-20 cm)
Mourning Warblers breed in the boreal forests of Canada and the northeastern United States. During migration, they traverse through central and eastern US states.
These warblers prefer dense, shrubby habitats near wetlands and stream edges, where they forage for insects and spiders.
Fun Fact: The Mourning Warbler is known for its elusive nature, often staying hidden in dense vegetation and making it a challenge to observe.
20. Cape May Warbler
Cape May Warblers occasionally pass through Montana during the spring and fall migration seasons.
These medium-sized warblers exhibit a unique combination of yellow, olive-green, and rusty brown plumage. Males have distinctive chestnut cheek patches.
Setophaga tigrina
Length: 4.7-5.5 inches (12-14 cm)
Weight: 0.4-0.5 ounces (11-14 g)
Wingspan: 7.5-9 inches (19-23 cm)
Cape May Warblers breed in the boreal forests of Canada and Alaska. During migration, they traverse through central and eastern US states.
These warblers have a specialized feeding behavior, using their unique tubular tongue to extract nectar from flowers. They also forage for insects in the tree canopies.
Fun Fact: Cape May Warblers have an extraordinary appetite for sugary fluids, particularly during migration when they rely heavily on nectar from flowering plants.
21. Canada Warbler
Canada Warblers pass through Montana during the spring and fall migration seasons.
These small, striking warblers exhibit a blue-gray upper body, a yellow throat and chest, and a distinctive black necklace across their chest.
Cardellina canadensis
Length: 4.3-5.1 inches (11-13 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.4 ounces (9-11 g)
Wingspan: 7.5-8.5 inches (19-22 cm)
Canada Warblers breed in boreal forests across Canada and Alaska, as well as northeastern US states. During migration, they traverse through central and eastern US states.
These warblers prefer dense, shrubby habitats near water sources, where they actively forage for insects and small fruits.
Fun Fact: Canada Warblers have one of the longest migration routes among warblers, traveling from their breeding grounds in Canada to their wintering grounds in the northern Andes of South America.
22. Northern Parula
Northern Parulas occasionally pass through Montana during the spring and fall migration periods.
These small warblers exhibit blue-gray upperparts, a yellow throat and breast, and a distinctive chestnut-colored patch on their back.
Setophaga americana
Length: 4.3-4.7 inches (11-12 cm)
Weight: 0.2-0.3 ounces (6-8 g)
Wingspan: 5.9-6.7 inches (15-17 cm)
Northern Parulas breed in the southeastern United States, extending into the northeastern states and southern Canada. During migration, they traverse through central and eastern US states.
These warblers prefer mixed forests and swampy areas, where they actively forage for insects and spiders among the tree foliage.
Fun Fact: Northern Parulas construct intricate, pendulous nests made from moss, lichens, and plant fibers, hanging from the branches of trees.
23. Black-throated Blue Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warblers occasionally pass through Montana during the spring and fall migration seasons.
These small warblers exhibit a vibrant blue upper body, a white belly, and a distinctive black throat patch in males. Females have a more subdued plumage with a grayish-olive color.
Setophaga caerulescens
Length: 4.7-5.1 inches (12-13 cm)
Weight: 0.4-0.5 ounces (11-14 g)
Wingspan: 7.5-8.5 inches (19-22 cm)
Black-throated Blue Warblers breed in the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada. During migration, they traverse through eastern US states.
These warblers favor deciduous forests and thickets, actively foraging for insects and small fruits among the foliage.
Fun Fact: Black-throated Blue Warblers exhibit a behavior called “hawking,” where they fly out from a perch to catch insects in mid-air before returning to the same perch.
What Are the Sounds of Warblers?
The melodious tunes of warblers often reach your ears before the birds come into sight. Familiarizing yourself with their songs can help you identify the feathered creatures more easily. Fortunately, certain warbler songs possess a distinctive quality compared to others.
Warblers’ songs exhibit characteristics such as a buzzing sound, clarity, or a trilling melody. These songs can ascend or descend in pitch, and they contain various captivating sounds. A buzzing note resembles the hum of an insect, while a clear note resembles a whistle. Trills, on the other hand, are rapid and seamless, rendering individual notes indiscernible.
In this guide, you will find the songs of all the warblers, and for further assistance, you can explore the compilation of 13 recognizable warbler songs.
Warblers with Buzzing Songs:
– The song of Black-throated Blue Warblers ascends and carries a buzzing quality.
– Prairie Warblers also possess buzzing and ascending songs.
– Black-throated Green Warblers feature a buzzing song with a couple of clear notes in the middle.
– Blackpoll Warblers produce clear and steady songs reminiscent of buzzing insects.
– Prairie Warblers’ songs are buzzy and ascend in pitch.
– Palm Warblers emit a distinct buzzing song.
Warblers with Songs Containing Clear Notes:
– Common Yellowthroats’ songs consist of a series of rising and falling notes that are repeated.
– Ovenbirds create songs with a sequence of rising and falling notes.
– Hooded Warblers present clear notes in their songs.
– Chestnut-sided Warblers produce a series of clear, descending notes that accelerate towards the end.
– Yellow-rumped Warblers deliver a succession of clear notes that gradually fade away.
– The song of Yellow Warblers accelerates.
– Northern Parulas showcase a rising trill that concludes with a distinct note, similar to a concluding punctuation.
– Wilson’s Warblers sing a series of clear, descending notes that increase in speed.
The Frequency of Warbler Sightings in Montana during Summer and Winter
Checklists serve as excellent references to determine the commonly observed bird species in your state. These comprehensive lists compile data on warbler sightings during summer and winter in Montana, gathered from ebird checklists.
Warblers in Montana during Summer:
– Yellow Warbler: 29.9%
– Yellow-rumped Warbler: 22.1%
– Common Yellowthroat: 11.5%
– MacGillivray’s Warbler: 5.9%
– Orange-crowned Warbler: 4.4%
– American Redstart: 4.3%
– Northern Waterthrush: 3.7%
– Townsend’s Warbler: 3.4%
– Wilson’s Warbler: 2.4%
– Yellow-breasted Chat: 1.9%
– Nashville Warbler: 1.7%
– Ovenbird: 0.8%
– Tennessee Warbler: 0.6%
– Blackpoll Warbler: 0.4%
– Black-and-white Warbler: 0.2%
– Magnolia Warbler: 0.1%
– Mourning Warbler: <0.1%
– Palm Warbler: <0.1%
– Northern Parula: <0.1%
– Cape May Warbler: <0.1%
– Chestnut-sided Warbler: <0.1%
– Canada Warbler: <0.1%
– Black-throated Blue Warbler: <0.1%
Warblers in Montana during Winter:
– Yellow-rumped Warbler: 0.1%
– Common Yellowthroat: <0.1%
– Northern Parula: <0.1%
– Orange-crowned Warbler:<0.1%
– Nashville Warbler: <0.1%
– Black-throated Blue Warbler: <0.1%
– Wilson’s Warbler: <0.1%
Methods to Attract Warblers to Your Backyard
While warblers may not be as commonly seen at backyard feeders as other songbirds, there are ways to entice these melodious avian companions to your yard:
– If your yard is spacious enough, provide trees to offer a suitable habitat.
– Embrace a slightly untidy environment by leaving brush piles to create an insect-friendly haven.
– Avoid using pesticides or herbicides to ensure an abundant insect population, as birds rely on them.
– Supply a clean water source to quench the thirst of visiting warblers.
– Offer mealworms, preferably live ones, although dried ones will do.
– Install bird feeders stocked with sunflower seeds, peanut hearts, and suet to entice warblers.