Cerulean Warbler

Credit: Parks Canada

Dendroica cerulea

Description

• A small warbler, the males have a cerulean blue back and cheeks, white chest and belly with a dark ring across the chest. The streaks on the side are the same colour as back.
• Females are more blue-grey and the chest and belly are slightly yellowish.
• Both sexes have two broad white wing bars.

Food

Feeds on insects.

Habits and Reproduction

• Since they nest and feed high in the tree canopy it is easier to learn their distinctive call and identify this bird by ear rather than sight.
• Lay a clutch of 3-4 eggs in a nest made from bark fibres, grass and spider webs.
• Overwinters in central and northern South America.

Habitat

• Prefer large areas of relatively undisturbed deciduous forests.

Threats

• Brown-headed Cowbirds lay their eggs in the warbler’s nest and the young cowbirds out compete the young warblers (brood parasitism).
• Loss and degradation of habitat in both the breeding and over wintering habitat.

Conservation Actions

• If you’re a coffee drinker, try to buy shade grown, preferably organic coffee. You’ll help protect over wintering habitat for many of our song birds.
• Choose wood products that are harvested from certified FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) forests.
• Purchase paper products that are 100 percent post consumer recycled content