Forest and Rangeland Birds of the United States

Natural History and Habitat Use

Blackburnian Warbler -- Dendroica fusca


RANGE: Breeds from central Alberta east to southern Quebec and Nova Scotia south to southern Manitoba, northeastern Ohio, Pennsylvania, and southeastern New York, and in the Appalachians to South Carolina and northern Georgia. Winters in Central and South America.

STATUS: Common.

HABITAT: Throughout most of its range, favors mature conifer forests with a few deciduous trees, preferring the upper canopy of tall conifers. Also inhabits climax stands of conifers with sparse understory and with deciduous trees and shrubs around the edges. In the Appalachians, inhabits oak-hickory forests along ridges.

SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Tall coniferous forests; oaks in the Appalachians.

NEST: Builds a deeply cupped nest saddled to a horizontal branch of a large tree. Nests in conifers throughout its range but also uses deciduous trees in the South. Usually locates nest high (up to 80 feet) above the ground and well out from the tree trunk.

FOOD: Consumes mostly insects gleaned from branches and leaves, but also flying insects caught in the air. Eats some berries when insects are scarce.

REFERENCES: Bull and Farrand 1977, Griscom and Sprunt 1979, Lawrence 1953b, Terres 1982.


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