Forest and Rangeland Birds of the United States

Natural History and Habitat Use

Pine Warbler -- Dendroica pinus

RANGE: Breeds from southern Manitoba, western Ontario, southwestern Quebec, and central Maine south to eastern Texas, the Gulf Coast, southern Florida, and the Bahamas. Rare or absent in the upper Mississippi and Ohio River Valleys. Winters in the southeastern United States south to southern Texas, the Gulf Coast, and southern Florida into Mexico.

STATUS: Common to rare and local.

HABITAT: Inhabits open pine forests and pine barrens, especially jack pine in Minnesota and upland southern pines. Generally avoids tall, moist, and dense coniferous forests.

SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Open pine forests.

NEST: Builds nests saddled on horizontal limbs of conifers 8 to 80 (usually 30 to 50) feet above the ground, usually far out from the tree trunk and well concealed in foliage.

FOOD: Gleans its food from tree trunks, larger branches, and leaves. In the summer, mostly eats insects and some spiders. In winter, also eats pine seeds, wild fruits and berries, and grass and weed seeds.

REFERENCES: Bull and Farrand 1977, Griscom and Sprunt 1979, Harrison 1975.

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