Photo Credit: Rick Snider

Home » Species at Risk » Kirtland’s Warbler

Kirtland’s Warbler

Cover photo credit: Brian E. Small

Setophaga kirtlandii

Species at Risk Status

Federal Government status: Endangered

Provincial Government status: Endangered

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Description

Medium sized song bird around 15cm long
Yellow bellies with dark streaks along their sides
Majority of the bird is a blue grey and they have a white crecent above and below the eye
Females and juveniles are less bold in colour and will have brownish highlights

Habitat

Very specific habitat requirements
Well-drained sandy soils in large young jack pine forests. Young trees are necessary to provide the low branches needed for proper coverage
They nest on the ground under low hanging branches around other smaller plant coverage, such as various grasses, ferns and blueberries

Threats

Fire suppression has lead to a decline in suitable jack pine forests needed for nesting requirements
Human development reducing forest availability
These birds also experience nest parasitism from brown headed cowbirds