Black-throated Gray Warbler

Warblers are endearing songbirds that are more often heard than seen, since many forage for insects in the treetops. Most, such as the Black-throated Gray Warbler, are migratory, although a few species live in western Washington year-round. Here are some fascinating facts about the Black-throated Gray Warbler:

• Common western Washington resident from mid-April through September

• Breeds in the Southwest and Pacific Northwest, from southern California to southern British Columbia and as far east as New Mexico and Colorado

• Winters in central and southern Mexico.

• Uses mountain ranges and coastlines for navigation but occasionally wanders to eastern states during migration.

• Appropriately named for its coloration, it also has a small yellow patch between the bill and the eye and sports striking black and white facial striping. The female lacks the black throat.

• Its presence is often detected by the sound of its trademark buzzy call: zeedle, zeedle, zeedle, zeet-chee.

• Prefers oak forests but also utilizes mixed deciduous and coniferous forests.

• Forages in the middle level of the forest, as it moves along tree branches in search of insects and caterpillars.

• Less flighty than other warblers that move more quickly through the branches.

• Nests on a horizontal tree branch, anywhere from 7 to 35 feet above ground.

• The female weaves a deep nest cup of grass, bark, and moss and lines the inside with feathers.

• Clutch size is 3 to 5 eggs, and a pair may raise two broods in a season.

• May fall victim to nest parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds.

• While numbers appear to be stable, studies have shown a 50% decline in the overall population since 1970.