Black-and-white Warbler

The Black-and-white Warbler is instantly recognizable by its bold, all-over pattern of black and white stripes running the length of its body, head, and wings, with no other warbler showing quite the same zebra-like plumage. Males have more solid black on the throat and cheek, while females and immatures show white or buffy throats and less black overall.

Unlike most warblers that forage in foliage, this species behaves much like a nuthatch or creeper, spiraling up, down, and around tree trunks and along thick branches as it searches bark crevices for hidden insects. Its unusually long hind claw and slightly decurved bill are adaptations suited to this bark-foraging lifestyle.

Key Field Marks

• Bold black-and-white stripes covering the head, back, and underparts
• Male: solid black throat and cheek patch; female: white or pale buffy throat
• White stripe through the center of the crown
• Habit of creeping along tree trunks and branches like a nuthatch
• Slightly downcurved bill relative to most warblers

Similar Species

Blackpoll Warbler in breeding plumage shows a solid black cap and white cheek rather than overall striping, and forages in foliage rather than climbing trunks. Black-throated Gray Warbler has a gray back rather than striped black-and-white, plus a small yellow spot before the eye. No other warbler combines the fully striped plumage with trunk-climbing behavior.

Habitat

Black-and-white Warblers favor deciduous and mixed forests, particularly mature woodlands with large trees that offer abundant bark surface for foraging.

Range

This species breeds across most of the eastern United States and Canada, from the Southeast north into the boreal forest. It winters from Florida and Mexico south through Central America, the Caribbean, and into northern South America.

Migration

Black-and-white Warblers are long-distance migrants, among the earlier warblers to arrive in spring and one of the more frequently detected species during migration due to their conspicuous foraging habits.

Behavior

This warbler forages methodically, creeping along trunks and thick branches in a spiraling pattern much like a nuthatch or Brown Creeper, probing bark crevices rather than gleaning from leaves.

Voice

The song is a very thin, high-pitched, repetitive 'wee-see, wee-see, wee-see,' often likened to a squeaky wheel. The call is a sharp 'chip.'

Feeding

It gleans insects and spiders from bark crevices on trunks and large branches, an unusual foraging niche among warblers that reduces competition with species foraging in foliage.

Nesting & Breeding

Unlike its trunk-climbing foraging habit, this species nests on the ground, tucking a cup nest of leaves and bark strips at the base of a tree, stump, or rock, often well hidden. The female lays 4-5 eggs.