The black-and-white warbler, also known as the black-and-white creeper, is a small songbird native to North America. This warbler gets its name from the striking black and white plumage of the male. The females and immatures are more gray and white in color. Despite their diminutive size, weighing only about 10-12 grams, these warblers undertake an incredible journey each year, traveling between their breeding grounds in northern North America and their wintering grounds in Central America and the Caribbean. In this article, we will explore the full annual migration cycle of the black-and-white warbler and learn exactly where this amazing little bird comes from.
Breeding Range
During the spring and summer months, the black-and-white warbler breeds across most of the eastern half of North America. Its breeding range extends from southeastern Canada down through the eastern United States west to Minnesota and eastern Texas.
Within this large range, the black-and-white warbler shows habitat preferences during the breeding season. It favors open, mixed deciduous-coniferous woodlands with some openings and tracts of dense undergrowth. Typical breeding habitats include northern hardwood and mixed forests, pine barrens, wooded swamps, and regenerating clearcuts. The warblers often nest along streams, forest edges, or any area with a dense understory where they can forage on the ground and the lower parts of trees.
Some key areas that host breeding black-and-white warblers include:
| Canada | Southeastern provinces from Manitoba to Nova Scotia |
| United States | Northern tier of states from Minnesota to Maine; south to Virginia and Tennessee |
During the breeding season, the males can be observed performing their distinctive high-pitched, buzzy song from high perches in the trees. This seemingly delicate little songbird is actually quite bold and scrappy. Pairs are territorial and defend their nesting areas against intruders aggressively. The female builds an open-cup nest on the ground or up to 15 feet high in a shrub or tree. She lays 3-6 eggs which hatch in 11-12 days. The young fledge from the next in 7-13 days.
Migration Route
Starting in August, adult black-and-white warblers and fledged young from across the breeding range begin to migrate south. They migrate mostly at night and can cover up to 290 miles in a single night when crossing the Gulf of Mexico!
During migration, the warblers follow distinct flyways across North America:
- Atlantic Flyway – along the Atlantic Coast
- Mississippi Flyway – follows the Mississippi River Valley
- Central Flyway – through the Great Plains
Some black-and-white warblers follow the Appalachian Mountains southwest from the breeding grounds towards the Gulf Coast. Others migrate south and southeast from the interior breeding range towards Florida and the Gulf Coast.
Regardless of start point, most migrating black-and-white warblers converge along the northern Gulf Coast in late summer and fall to rest and refuel before crossing the Gulf of Mexico. This is an incredible non-stop flight of 500-600 miles over open ocean for a bird that weighs about as much as a few quarters!
Winter Range
After crossing the Gulf of Mexico, the black-and-white warblers complete their fall migration by traveling to their wintering grounds in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean Islands.
Their winter range extends from southern Mexico south to Panama and through the islands of the Caribbean. Within this region, they favor tropical habitats including:
- Mangrove swamps
- Coastal woodlands
- Deciduous and pine forests
- Shaded coffee and cacao plantations
On their winter territories, black-and-white warblers forage actively in the understory and on tree trunks and vines searching for small insects. While defending winter territories, the males once again sing their distinct high, buzzy song.
Some top countries and areas hosting wintering black-and-white warblers include:
| Mexico | Southern Baja Peninsula, coasts along Gulf of Mexico and Pacific Ocean |
| Belize | Coastal regions and interior |
| Guatemala | Pacific and Caribbean coasts |
| Honduras | Caribbean coastal areas |
| Nicaragua | Lowlands along both coasts |
| Costa Rica | Lowlands along both coasts |
| Panama | Lowlands along both coasts |
| Cuba | Widespread |
| Jamaica | Widespread |
| Hispaniola | Widespread resident and migrant |
| Puerto Rico | Widespread |
| Bahamas | Scattered sightings |
The black-and-white warblers typically arrive on their winter territories in September and October and remain until April or May.
Spring Migration
The spring migration brings the warblers full circle back to their breeding grounds. They follow the same pathways but in the reverse direction – first heading north from their winter grounds to the Gulf Coast and Mexico. After refueling, they once again perform the incredible non-stop flight across the Gulf of Mexico to reach the southern United States.
From there they disperse across the eastern United States to reach their individual breeding territories, arriving from mid-April to late May depending on latitude. The males arrive first to establish breeding territories and will sing constantly upon arrival. Females follow a week or two later. Upon arriving back on the breeding grounds, the warblers complete their 10,000+ mile round-trip journey that begins each year.
Threats and Conservation
Currently, black-and-white warbler populations are stable and the species is categorized as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. Partners in Flight estimates a global breeding population of 31 million with 69% spending part of the year in the U.S. As such a widespread and numerous songbird, the black-and-white warbler faces few major threats at this time.
However, as with many migratory birds, habitat loss on the breeding grounds and wintering areas due to deforestation is a concern. The clearing of forests, urbanization, and drainage of swamps eliminates crucial habitat. Predation from cats, collisions with buildings and vehicles, and climate change impacts also take a toll.
Maintaining and protecting forests across their breeding and wintering range will be key for conservation of black-and-white warblers. As a migratory species, international cooperation is needed to preserve their habitat at all stages of their migration cycle. Ecotourism and birdwatching focused on migratory species can help provide incentives to protect habitat. Continued long-term monitoring of population trends is also important. With proactive habitat management and conservation, we can ensure the spectacular migration of the black-and-white warbler continues for generations to come.
Conclusion
The black-and-white warbler is a true long-distance migratory champion, traveling over 10,000 miles between its breeding and wintering grounds each year. These tiny determined songbirds breed across Canada and the eastern United States before funneling down to Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean for the winter months. Their extensive breeding range spans southern Canada south to Virginia, while their winter range reaches from Mexico down to Panama. Along the way, the warblers follow routes including the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways and make incredible non-stop flights over the Gulf of Mexico each fall and spring. Although widespread and numerous, habitat loss during migration and on the wintering grounds may pose a threat, so continuing conservation efforts across their full annual range is important for this species. The marathon migration of the black-and-white warbler is a true spectacle of the natural world.
