Setophaga magnolia
male
The Magnolia Warbler is a colorful species. In both sexes and in all plumages birds have a diagnostic tail underside, which is white with a broad, dark tip. Adult summer males have a mainly blackish back and wings with a broad white wing panel. The rump is yellow and the dark uppertail has a pale marginal band halfway along its length. A dark mask links to the dark back; note the white supercilium and blue-gray crown. The underparts are mostly bright yellow with a black chest band and streaked flanks; the undertail coverts are white. Adult summer females are similar to a summer male but black elements of the body plumage are gray, not black. In fall, adult plumage in both sexes is similar to that of an adult summer female but without the white supercilium, and with reduced white on the wings. Immatures are similar to non-breeding adults but the underparts are not streaked.
The Magnolia Warbler is present as a breeding species in North America from late May to August. It spends the rest of the year in Central America. While nesting, the species is associated with mature and sometimes large trees; however, it often feeds relatively low down in the shrub understory, allowing good views to be obtained.
female
FACT FILE
LENGTH 5 in (12.5 cm)
FOOD Invertebrates
HABITAT Northern conifer forests
STATUS Widespread and locally common summer visitor
VOICE Song is a whistled zwee-zwee-zwee-zweep. Call is a thin tsic
