Magnolia Warbler
Setophaga magnolia
Summary 4
The magnolia warbler (Setophaga magnolia) is a member of the wood warbler family Parulidae.
Setophaga magnolia 5
A medium-sized (4 ¾ inches) wood warbler, the male Magnolia Warbler is most easily identified by its dark gray back, streaked flanks, white wing patches, and bright yellow underparts with a conspicuous black face mask. Female Magnolia Warblers are similar to males, but are slightly duller and lack the white on the wings. Both sexes resemble the male Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata), but that species is less streaked below and lacks the Magnolia Warbler’s extensive yellow on the breast. The Magnolia Warbler breeds across southern Canada and the northeastern United States. This species is also present at higher elevations in the Appalachian Mountains as far south as Tennessee. In winter, Yellow-throated Warblers may be found in the West Indies, southern Mexico, and Central America. Magnolia Warblers breed in a variety of dense woodland habitats, particularly those largely composed of evergreen trees. In winter, this species may be found in humid tropical forests and tropical scrub. Magnolia Warblers primarily eat small invertebrates, including insects and spiders. In appropriate habitat, Magnolia Warblers may be observed foraging for insects on the ends of branches in the middle of the tree canopy. Birdwatchers may also listen for this species’ song, a whistled “weeta weeta weetsee.” Magnolia Warblers are primarily active during the day, but, like many migratory songbirds, this species migrates at night.
Habitat 6
The name of the Magnolia Warbler is misleading because it is actually rarely found in Magnolia trees. It was named by Alexander Wilson who happened to see one of these birds in a magnolia tree in the South, on its annual migration. The Magnolia Warbler is instead found in damp coniferous forests, which include trees like pine, red maple, spruce, hemlocks, and balsam firs. It tends to dwell in the lower parts of the trees.
(Kaufman, 1996; Alsop, 2001; Harrison, 1984; Griscom & Sprunt, 1979)
Habitat Regions: temperate ; tropical ; terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: forest
Conservation status 7
There have been accounts of both an increase and decline in the number of Magnolia Warblers. However it is important to note that the Magnolia Warbler is quite vulnerable to a loss of habitat. As many eastern spruce and fir forests are declining, due mostly to air pollution, the population of Magnolia Warblers is also likely to decline.
(Alsop, 2001)
US Migratory Bird Act: protected
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
State of Michigan List: no special status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
Sources and Credits
- (c) Scott Buckel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Scott Buckel
- (c) Greg Lasley, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Greg Lasley
- (c) Dick Daniels (http://carolinabirds.org/), some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a5/Magnolia_Warbler_%28Dendroica_magnolia%29_RWD.jpg
- Adapted by Amanda Carrillo-Perez from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Setophaga_magnolia
- (c) Smithsonian Institution, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/34818216
- (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/31390405
- (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/31390414
