Where does the Black-throated Green Warbler live?

The black-throated green warbler (Setophaga virens) is a small songbird that breeds in forests across much of eastern North America. This warbler gets its name from the black throat and yellow-green back plumage displayed by adult males. The black-throated green warbler has a large breeding range and migrates to spend the winter in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Understanding where this species lives throughout the year can help us better protect its habitat.

Breeding Range

The black-throated green warbler breeds in deciduous and mixed forests across much of eastern North America. Its breeding range extends from southeastern Canada through the eastern United States.

Canada

In Canada, the black-throated green warbler’s breeding range includes:

• Southeastern Manitoba
• Southern Ontario
• Southern Quebec
• New Brunswick
• Prince Edward Island
• Nova Scotia
• Newfoundland

This warbler primarily breeds in mature hardwood forests, especially near conifers, across its Canadian range.

United States

The black-throated green warbler breeds across much of the eastern United States. Its breeding range extends:

• As far west as eastern Minnesota
• As far south as northern Georgia and Alabama
• North along the Atlantic Coast through Maine

Some key states and regions where the black-throated green warbler breeds include:

• Northeastern states like New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Maine
• Great Lakes states such as Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota
• Mid-Atlantic states including Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina
• Sections of the Southeast like northern Georgia, Alabama, and eastern Tennessee

Preferred breeding habitat consists of mature deciduous and mixed forests across the warbler’s U.S. range.

Wintering Range

The black-throated green warbler migrates long distances to spend the winter in parts of Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Its winter range extends from southern Mexico down through Panama.

Mexico

In Mexico, this warbler winters along both the Pacific and Gulf coasts. Some key areas include:

• Southern Baja California
• Western Mexico from Sonora to Chiapas
• The Yucatan Peninsula
• Coastal regions along the Gulf of Mexico

Black-throated green warblers often winter in pine-oak forests, tropical deciduous forests, and mangroves in Mexico.

Central America

Throughout Central America, the black-throated green warbler winters in both the lowlands and highland regions. Its winter range includes:

• Belize
• Guatemala
• El Salvador
• Honduras
• Nicaragua
• Costa Rica
• Panama

Key wintering habitats are tropical forests, coffee plantations with shade trees, and mangroves.

Caribbean Islands

The black-throated green warbler also winters on some Caribbean islands, primarily:

• Cuba
• Jamaica
• Hispaniola
• Puerto Rico
• Turks and Caicos Islands

In the Caribbean, this warbler occupies tropical forests, woodlands, mangroves, and scrub habitats in the winter.

Migration Routes

The black-throated green warbler undertakes an impressive long-distance migration twice per year between its breeding and wintering grounds. These small songbirds can cover thousands of miles during spring and fall migrations.

Spring Migration

In early spring, black-throated green warblers migrate north from their wintering grounds in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean to reach their breeding territories in the United States and Canada. Spring migration occurs in April and May.

These warblers follow routes primarily through the eastern half of North America. Key spring migration pathways include:

• Across the Gulf of Mexico from the Yucatan Peninsula to the Gulf Coast of the U.S.
• Through Florida, Georgia, and along the Atlantic Coast
• Up through the Mississippi River Valley
• Along the Appalachian Mountains

Fall Migration

In the fall, black-throated green warblers make the return trip to their tropical wintering grounds. Fall migration takes place between August and November.

Some major fall migration routes used by this species include:

• Southeastern flyway through Florida
• Along the Gulf Coast to Mexico and Central America
• Through the Caribbean islands

Fall migration occurs over a broader front across eastern North America compared to the more concentrated spring routes.

Year-Round Range

This table summarizes the range and movements of the black-throated green warbler throughout the year as it migrates between its breeding and wintering grounds. Understanding the full annual cycle of this warbler provides important insight into its habitat needs and conservation.

Threats and Conservation Status

Although still common and widespread, the black-throated green warbler faces a few conservation threats primarily on its wintering grounds.

Threats

Some key threats include:

• Deforestation and habitat loss in Central America and the Caribbean islands
• Pesticide use on tropical agricultural lands where warblers overwinter
• Predation by invasive species
• Nest parasitism by brown-headed cowbirds in the breeding range

Habitat protection at key wintering sites and during migration is an important conservation need.

Conservation Status

The black-throated green warbler has a large population estimated at 14 million individuals. Trend data shows populations are declining but the rate of decline is relatively small, less than 1% per year.

The species is considered of least concern by the IUCN Red List due to its large range and population size. Partners in Flight estimates a yearly loss of 1.5% across breeding populations. Ongoing habitat conservation and reduced pesticide use will help ensure the long-term survival of this species.

Conclusion

The black-throated green warbler breeds across much of southeastern Canada and the eastern United States and migrates long distances to winter in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean islands. Protecting forest habitat throughout its range is key to conservation of this migratory songbird. Although still relatively common, the black-throated green warbler has exhibited some population declines primarily driven by deforestation and pesticide exposure on its tropical wintering grounds. Continued monitoring and habitat management across the warbler’s range and throughout its annual migratory cycle are important to maintaining healthy populations of this species into the future.