Canada Warbler

Canada warblers travel over 3,000 miles migrating from South America to the United States and Canada.

The Canada warbler’s bright yellow feathers make it a standout in the world of birds! It’s a carnivore or more specifically an insectivore, eating mosquitoes, flies, moths, and caterpillars. It’s known for its cheerful, trilling song full of ‘chip-chips’ and ‘seep-seeps’. The lifespan of the Canada warbler goes up to seven years.

3 Canada Warbler Amazing Facts

1. The oldest Canada warbler was eight years old
2. It builds its nest on or near the ground
3. The white ring around each eye makes this bird look like it’s wearing glasses

Where to Find a Canada Warbler

The Canada warbler is found in North America and South America. These birds spend their breeding season in a temperate climate in Canada or the northeastern part of the United States.

This bird is most visible in the late springtime. Birdwatchers who want to spot a Canada warbler have several things working in their favor. For one, this bird’s bright yellow feathers make it easy to see in its habitat. Second, male Canada warblers sing a beautiful song to attract females. In addition, these birds are known to hop around in the underbrush. So, they’re easier to see unlike other types of birds that remain high in the treetops!

In late summer, Canada warblers start their migration south through Texas, Mexico and then into South America. They arrive in South America in September or October where they stay for the winter.

One of the most interesting facts about this bird is the length of its migratory path. Its flight from South America back to its breeding ground in the northern United States or Canada adds up to 3,000 miles or more.

Canada warblers can be found in the following countries:

1. United States
2. Canada
3. Venezuela
4. Colombia
5. Peru
6. Ecuador

Nests

In the springtime, female Canada warblers build a nest by weaving together grass, twigs, leaves, and even bark. The interior of the nest is covered with animal hair or feathers, so each baby bird has a soft place to rest. Hollow logs, rotting tree stumps, and sphagnum hummocks are all appealing places for a female Canada warbler to build a nest. Of course, a female chooses an area near the ground that’s hidden by plant life. Nest construction can take a female as long as five days.

Scientific Name

Cardellina canadensis is the scientific name of the Canada warbler. The Italian word Cardellina means goldfinch and the Latin word canadensis translates to Canada. It’s also called a necklaced warbler because of the ring of black feathers around its neck. It belongs to the Parulidae family and the class Aves.

There is a total of five subspecies of Canada warbler. The four others include:

1. Cardellina pusilla
2. Cardellina rubifrons
3. Cardellina rubra
4. Cardellina versicolor

Size, Appearance, and Behavior

Bright yellow feathers cover the breast and throat of the Canada warbler. Its wings are gray along with the top of its head. A ring of black feathers decorates its neck. This bird has two small black eyes each surrounded by a white circle.

Its size range is 4.7 to 5.9 inches long and it’s three to four inches tall. This is a tiny bird weighing from 0.32 to 0.46 ounces. The wingspan of the Canada warbler is seven to nine inches.

This animal’s bright yellow feathers make it difficult for this bird to blend into its forest or shrubland habitat. So, its main defense against predators is its speed. One of the most amazing facts about this bird is it can fly at a speed of 25mph.

Canada Warbler Migration Pattern and Timing

In April or May, the Canada warbler breeds in Canada and the northeastern part of the United States. Then, in late summer, Canada warblers migrate south flying through the United States to the northwestern part of South America. They arrive at their destination in September or October. These birds travel 3,000 plus miles during their migration period.

Canada Warbler Diet

Canada warblers are generally known as carnivores. But biologists sometimes refer to them as insectivores due to their diet of insects.

What does a Canada warbler eat?

Beetles, moths, flies, and caterpillars are all foods of the Canada warbler.

Canada Warbler Predators, Threats, and Conservation Status

It’s not surprising that this little bird is vulnerable to many larger animals. Sometimes it’s not fast enough to escape predators.

What eats the Canada warbler?

Snakes, hawks, and cats are all predators of the Canada warbler. Snakes sometimes prey on baby Canada warblers in the nest. Hawks are known for their excellent vision and speed, so they can easily capture a Canada warbler. Cats are also fast and able to take down a Canada warbler with very little effort.

Canada Warbler Reproduction, Young and Molting

In April or May, male Canada warblers use their cheerful song to attract female birds. Biologists believe these birds form monogamous pairs at least for a single breeding period.

The female lays three to five white eggs with brown spots. The female sits on the eggs and is fed by the male. The eggs hatch in approximately eight to 12 days. The baby Canada warbler, also called a chick comes out of the egg with no feathers and its eyes closed. The male and female care for the baby birds.

In ten days, the chicks leave the nest, but they stay in the area for two to three weeks. During this time, they are fed and watched over by their parents until they are strong fliers and can find food on their own.

The lifespan of these warblers goes up to seven years.

Canada Warbler Population

The population of this bird is reported at 2,600,000 adults. The loss of some of its forest habitat is a threat to this tiny bird and, unfortunately, its numbers are thought to be decreasing. However, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species lists the Canada warblers’ status as Least Concern.

1. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Available here: https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/EndangeredResources/Animals.asp?mode=detail&SpecCode=ABPBX16030
2. Wikipedia, Available here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada_warbler
3. Ontario, Available here: https://www.ontario.ca/page/canada-warbler
4. IUCN Red List, Available here: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22721882/137213211
5. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Available here: https://www.tn.gov/twra/wildlife/birds/forest-birds/canada-warbler.html
6. Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Available here: https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/education/Pages/WABCanadaWarbler.aspx
7. Field Guide Montana, Available here: https://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=ABPBX16030