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Canada Warbler

(Wilsonia canadensis)
Indianapolis, Indiana | May 2010

General Information

The Canada Warbler, also known as the “Necklaced Warbler,” is a familiar visitor to Canada and parts of Eastern North American where it breeds during summer months. Its genus name Wilson is in honor of Alexander Wilson (1766 – 1813), the “father of American ornithology."

It is a long distance migrant that moves from South America to its breeding ground in Canada and parts of eastern North America. Northerly movements in spring occur later than other warblers, and southerly fall movements tend to be earlier than other warblers. Its distinctive call, sounding like “Chip, chupety swee-ditchety” is typically warbler-like.

In winter months, these birds live in the northwestern region South America and on down the west coast of South America through Columbia and the Andes Mountains of Ecuador and Peru.

The adult male shown here is solid gray above and bright yellow below. The white vent is now shown. These birds are about 5-1/4 inches long (13 cm). Weights range from 7.3 to 13 grams.

Canada Warbler, adult male

Figure 2 - Canada Warbler, adult male

The necklace of short black stripes is distinct on the male, but fainter on the female and immature individual. The white eye ring and yellow loral stripe are also distinct field marks. Rictal Bristles around the base of the bill speak to this bird’s flycatcher habit of feeding by sallying out from a branch to catch insects.

Both the male and female and the immature bird are solid gray on the upper side, but females and immature birds may show a brownish or olive gray wash. The tail does not show any markings in any plumage.

Figure 3 - Canada Warbler

Figure 4 - Canada Warbler

This close-up of the adult male clearly shows the key field marks: the gray upper side, the bright yellow underside, the short black stripes in the necklace, the yellow loral stripe, and the distinct eye ring. The white vent area is not shown. Up close the eye is brown.

The crown of the adult male is bluish gray with strong black flecking. Female is gray with a greenish tinge and black flecking restricted to the ocular area. Immature birds lack the black flecking on the forehead and crown.

Figure 5 - Canada Warbler

Breeding Biology

The Canada Warbler breeds across Canada and the northeastern and Great Lakes region of North America near streams or bogs in mixed woodland. Breeding also occurs in the Appalachian Mountains.

The nest, built by the female, is a bulky cup of dry decaying leaves, bark shreds, dead grass, ferns, and pine needles placed near or on the ground in the roots of a fallen tree, or on a ledge, hummock, stump or under a shrub. (Baicich and Harrison 1997).

From 3 to 5 creamy white eggs, incubated by the female with help from the male, hatch in about 12 days. Young are altricial are tended by both parents.

One brood is raised before these birds begin their journey back home to South America. More research is needed on the nesting habits of this species.

Banding Recoveries

The records at the Bird Banding Laboratory show that more than 81,964 Canada Warblers were banded between 1955 and 2004. Of these, 38 have been encountered. Banding studies show that Canada Warblers can live more than 7 years in the wild.

If you should recover a banded Canada Warbler, please report the band number to the Bird Banding Lab either by calling 1-800-327-BAND, or by completing the report form on their web site. Your report will add valuable information to what is known about this species.

Conservation

Populations are stable in some regions, but declining in others likely due to habitat loss. These birds consume large numbers of beetles, mosquitoes, flies, moths, caterpillars and other insect pests, thus doing a great service to naturally control the populations of insect pests. Nest parasitism by cowbirds take a toll on these birds in some areas.

Further Reading

Alderfer, J., Ed. 2006. Complete Birds of North America. National Geographic. Washington, DC.664 Pp.

Baicich, P. J. and C. J. O. Harrison. 1997. A Guide to the Nests, Eggs, and Nestlings of North American Birds. 2nd Ed. Academic Press, Boston. 347 Pp.

Dunn, J. L. and K. L. Garrett. 1997. A Field Guide to Warblers of North America. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston. 656 Pp.

Peterson, R. T. 2008. Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, New York, NY. 527 Pp.

Pyle, P. 1997. Identification Guide to North American Birds. Part I. Slate Creek Press, Bolinas, CA. 731 Pp.

Terres, J. K. 1995. The National Audubon Society Encyclopedia of North American Birds. Wings Books, NY. 1,109 Pp.

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