Blackburnian Warbler

About the Blackburnian Warbler

The male Blackburnian Warbler is the only North American warbler with a flame-orange throat, set off by a black triangular face patch, black back, and bold white wing patch. Females follow the same pattern in yellow-orange and gray.

On the breeding grounds in northeastern and Appalachian conifer forests, Blackburnians live at the very tops of spruces and hemlocks, singing a thin song that rises beyond the hearing of many listeners. They feed mainly on caterpillars and other insects gleaned from high branches.

For Texas this is a migration bird: spring brings the heaviest passage along the coast in late April and May, when Gulf-crossing migrants drop into the oak mottes, and a lighter movement passes through in fall.