Blackburnian Warbler (Dendroica fusca)

County List:

Rule:

Forested or Mixed Forested/Nonforested Landscapes

      (Any Upland Conifer Except Conifer Plantations (Pole or Sm Saw or Lg Saw or Uneven))
      or (Any Upland Mixed (Pole or Sm Saw or Lg Saw or Uneven))
   containing:
      Stand/Gap Openings

Habitat List:

view size class definitions

Literature:

The range generally corresponds to the hemlock-white pine-northern hardwood and mixed mesophytic forest regions identified by Braun (1950).

Habitat: Over most of its breeding range, the Blackburnian Warbler tends to inhabit mature mesic forest stands dominated by coniferous species such as hemlock, white spruce, balsam fir, and red and white pines. It also uses lowland conifer areas. In northern parts of its range, the presence of mature, tall conifer trees, approximately 75% total forest canopy cover, and greater than 50% conifer canopy cover are important vegetational characteristics of its breeding habitat.

Territory size of the Blackburnian Warbler is variable and is reportedly influenced by habitat quality, spruce budworm numbers, and the presence of more aggressive congeners such as the Black-throated Green Warbler. Territory size is generally smaller in stands of mature hemlock and mature hemlock-beech than in mature spruce-fir-hardwoods or white spruce stands.

The nest of the Blackburnian Warbler is constructed by the female well out on a horizontal limb in the upper portions of tall conifers.

Accelerated timber harvest, with increased emphasis on even-aged management of deciduous species (primarily aspen and northern hardwoods), will result in less coniferous habitat in the future forests of Michigan. Expanding red pine plantations acreage will not provide suitable habitat for this bird, because of the even-aged structure and generally short, pulpwood harvest rotation periods characteristic of plantation management. Consequently, the Blackburnian Warbler can be expected to decline over most of its Michigan range as mature coniferous forest stands and hardwood stands containing a conifer component are harvested and not regenerated.

Habitat: Breeding: Deep coniferous woods or swampy woods where spruces are thickly draped with bearded lichen (Usnea); often associated with very tall hemlocks; also said to inhabit stands of second growth deciduous woods.

Special Habitat Requirements: Coniferous woodlands.

Habitat: Woodlands; conifers in summer. Breeds in boreal coniferous and mixed forests, especially spruce and hemlock. When migrating, occurs in all kinds of trees and brush.

Diet: Mostly insects, especially caterpillars. In summer, feeds on many caterpillars, ants, flies, and many other insects, also spiders. Especially during winter, will take some berries as well.

Nest: Almost always placed in dense vegetation near tips of branches of conifers, and usually high, sometimes up to 80 feet above the ground. Nest is cup-shaped and made of twigs, bark, and fibers; lined with lichens, moss, grass, hair, and conifer needles.

Conservation Status: May be especially vulnerable to loss of wintering habitat, with cutting of forest at mid-levels in mountains in tropics.