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Help develop a Bird ID tool!

Black-and-white Warbler

Mniotilta varia ORDER: PASSERIFORMES FAMILY: PARULIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

Distinctive in both plumage and behavior, the Black-and-white Warbler forages for insects while creeping along the trunks and branches of trees. Common in summer throughout the eastern United States and Canada, it has an unusually extensive winter range that extends from Florida to Venezuela and Colombia.

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Appearance

Warblers
Warblers
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Small warbler.
  • Black-and-white striped plumage.
  • Striped crown.

Male Description

Strongly contrasting black-and-white stripes on head and upperparts. Two white wingbars. White eyestripe. Eyering white. Lores and ear patch black. Throat black. Underparts white with bold black streaks.

Female Description

Striped on crown and upperparts, with moderate contrast between black and white. Cheeks, chin, and throat dull whitish or gray. Underparts mostly white, with gray streaks, mostly on flanks.

Immature Description

Similar to adult female.

Range Map Help

Black-and-white Warbler Range Map
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Similar Species

Similar Species

  • No other small, striped black-and-white bird in North America creeps along tree trunks and branches.
  • Blackpoll Warbler has solid black cap and white cheek