Fauna
Bird

Magnolia Warbler

Setophaga magnolia

Also known as Black-and-yellow Warbler

Magnolia warblers flit restlessly through dense conifer boughs, fanning their distinctive white-banded tails while snatching caterpillars from the undersides of needles. Breeding males boast a striking yellow breast streaked with thick black stripes, a jet-black face mask, and a slate-gray crown. Each autumn, millions embark on long nocturnal journeys from boreal spruce forests to spend the winter in Central American humid lowlands and shade-coffee plantations.

SongbirdMigratoryColorful
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyCaterpillars, Spiders, Aphids
Predators
  • Sharp-shinned Hawk
  • Merlin
  • Blue Jay
ThreatsCollisions with artificial structures during nocturnal migration and winter habitat loss
HabitatsDense boreal conifer forests, regenerating spruce stands, and mixed migratory woodlands
Life span5–8 years
  1. FamilyParulidae
  2. SpeciesSetophaga magnolia
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Field Observation: Watch the lower to mid-canopy of small spruces and look for tail-fanning behavior.
  • Acoustic Cues: Listen for a cheerful, rapid song often rendered as 'wichety-wichety-wichew'.
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