This warbler is well named due to it not often seen away from pine trees. Pine Warblers forage in a rather leisurely way at all levels in the pinewoods, from the ground to the treetops. This species is only a short-distance migrant, and almost the entire population spends the winter within the southern United States. They are yellowish birds with olive backs, whitish bellies, and two prominent white wing bars on gray wings. Although insects make up most of their diet, they do visit backyards and come to bird feeders to eat seeds and suet. Try to listen for their sweet trill song.
- Length: 5.1-5.5 in (13-14 cm)
- Weight: 0.3-0.5 oz (9-15 g)
- Wingspan: 7.5-9.1 in (19-23 cm)
Males begin singing on breeding territories in early February in the southern part of their range, in late March or early April in the north. Nest sites located toward the ends of limbs of pines or occasionally other trees, usually 30-50′ above the ground, can be 8-135′ up. Concealed from below by foliage. Nest (built by female) is deep, open cup of weed stalks, grass stems, strips of bark, pine needles, twigs, spiderweb; lined with feathers. 3-5, usually 4 eggs. Off-white, with brown specks toward the large end. Incubation is by both parents, probably about 10 days.
Conservation status from surveys suggest that numbers are stable or perhaps even increasing slightly.
Article submitted by: Melanie Jerome
Photographs provided by: Dean Morr
This blog post is part of a series SIB will publish on a regular basis to feature birds seen in the area, both migratory and permanent residents. When possible we will use photographs taken by our members. Please let us know if you have any special requests of birds you would like to learn more about.