Bird Guide

Black-and-white Warbler

Mniotilta varia

Least ConcernInvertebratesForestCup nestTiny · 11 g

About the Black-and-white Warbler

The black-and-white warbler is a species of New World warbler, and the only member of its genus, Mniotilta. It breeds in northern and eastern North America and winters in Florida, Central America, and the West Indies down to Peru. It has been recorded as a vagrant in Northern Europe, especially Britain and Ireland. Relative to other New World warblers, it is not well studied.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

ID tip

The black-and-white warbler is 11 cm (4.3 in) to 13 cm (5.1 in) in length with a mass of 8 g (0.28 oz) to 15 g (0.53 oz) grams. Wingspan ranges from 7.1 to 8.7 in (18–22 cm). True to their name, black-and-white warblers are black and white in colour. Both sexes have black and white crowns with a white eyebrow, black streaking on a white belly, black wings with two white wing bars, a black tail, a black-and-white streaked back, streaky undertail coverts, and grey-black legs and feet. Voice: The black-and-white warbler has a high-pitched song, described as a repeating wee-see that is repeated at least six times in succession. It has a chip call as well as a seet-seet call that is sometimes given in flight. Its song is a high see wee-see wee-see wee-see wee-see wee-see or weesa weesa weetee weetee weetee weet weet weet. It has two calls, a hard tick and a soft, thin fsss.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

What the Black-and-white Warbler sounds like

Recording: Doug Hynes · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto
Recording: Jonathon Jongsma · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto
Recording: Andres Felipe Espinosa · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto

Where the Black-and-white Warbler lives

Regular rangeRare visitor

Recorded as a rare visitor in Portugal, Belgium, France, Norway, Ireland, Martinique, Peru, St. Barthélemy.

When to see the Black-and-white Warbler

Peak activity in May · a passage migrant species across most of its range

Easily confused with

Side by side: Black-and-white Warbler vs Northern Parula · Black-and-white Warbler vs Orange-crowned Warbler · Black-and-white Warbler vs Pine Warbler

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