Magnolia Warbler Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesMagnolia Warbler
Adult male
Small-billed, long-tailed warbler. Adult males have distinctive black streaking that radiates from a black neck band creating a necklaced look. White undertail coverts and black-tipped tail are diagnostic at all ages.
© Keenan Yakola / Macaulay LibraryMaine, May 14, 2018Female/immature male
Small-billed, long-tailed warbler. Females/immatures have a gray head, a faint gray band across the neck, and 2 narrow white wingbars.
© Ian Davies / Macaulay LibraryNew York, September 27, 2015Adult male
The combination of white undertail coverts and black tip to the tail create a distinctive pattern useful for identifying all plumages of Magnolia Warblers.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryOhio, May 01, 1997Adult female
Adult females do not have as strong of a black mask and lack the black back seen on adult males, though some females show darker necklace stripes like a male. Adult females are often paler overall with thinner wingbars.
© Shailesh Pinto / Macaulay LibraryOhio, May 17, 2017Female/immature male
Females/immatures have less black on the back and fainter streaking on the flanks and chest.
© Ryan Schain / Macaulay LibraryMaine, September 24, 2011Adult male and female/immature
Forages primarily in trees and shrubs, but sometimes forages for insects on the ground.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 27, 1997Adult male
Adult males have a black patch on the back, a wide white wing patch, and a black mask.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryNew York, May 23, 2017Female/immature male
White undertail coverts and black-tipped tail are diagnostic at all ages. Females/immatures have a gray head and faint gray band across the neck.
© Suzanne Labbé / Macaulay LibraryQuebec, September 03, 2016Adult male
Bathes by dipping its bill in the water and tossing water over its back.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 01, 1997Adult male
Adult males are bright yellow below with obvious black streaking on the chest and flanks as well as a black mask and black back.
© Tom Lally / Macaulay LibraryIllinois, May 27, 2017Habitat
Found in dense stands of all ages during migration. Breeds in areas with young evergreen trees.
© Elwood Bracey / Macaulay LibraryMichigan, May 20, 2017Adult male
Adult males have a distinctive black necklace and boldly striped flanks.
© Eric Liner / Macaulay LibraryNew York, May 01, 2009Similar SpeciesCanada Warbler
Adult male
Canada Warblers have an unstreaked gray back and clean gray wings without wingbars, while Magnolia Warblers have a black or streaked back and obvious wingbars.
© David Turgeon / Macaulay LibraryQuebec, June 10, 2016Similar SpeciesCanada Warbler
Adult female/immature male
Female and immature Canada Warblers do not have wingbars, while immature Magnolia Warblers do.
© Bob & Sharon Edelen / Macaulay LibraryDelaware, September 23, 2016Similar SpeciesPrairie Warbler
Adult male
Prairie Warblers have a yellow head while Magnolia Warblers have a gray head.
© Ryan Schain / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, May 28, 2012Similar SpeciesPrairie Warbler
Female/immature
Female and immature Prairie Warblers have streaked sides that immature Magnolia Warblers lack.
© Alix d'Entremont / Macaulay LibraryNova Scotia, October 02, 2016Similar SpeciesKirtland's Warbler
Male
Kirtland's Warblers lack the Magnolia Warbler's necklace of black stripes. They also do not have well-defined wingbars like Magnolias. Kirtland's has a very restricted breeding range.
© J B / Macaulay LibraryOntario, May 09, 2016Similar SpeciesKirtland's Warbler
Female
Female Kirtland's have a spotted belly and lack the necklaced look of Magnolia Warblers. They also lack well-defined wingbars.
© fide R.Smith / Macaulay LibraryFlorida, May 10, 2005Similar SpeciesNashville Warbler
Adult male
Nashville Warblers are similar to immature Magnolia Warblers, but lack wingbars and Magnolia's distinctive white-and-black tail pattern.
© James Cummins / Macaulay LibraryWashington, May 02, 2017Similar SpeciesNashville Warbler
Female/immature
Nashville Warblers are similar to immature Magnolia Warblers, but lack wingbars and Magnolia's distinctive white-and-black tail pattern.
© Ryan Schain / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, October 26, 2010Search species and articles
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