A federally endangered warbler that's recovered through habitat management.

Also called: Jack Pine Warbler, Kirtland's

Native status: Native; delisted from ESA in 2019

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 14 cm (5.5 in); wingspan 22 cm
Weight12–16 g
LifespanWild typically 9+ years
OrderPasseriformes
FamilyParulidae

§ Encyclopedia

Kirtland's warbler, also known in Michigan by the common name jack pine bird, or the jack pine warbler, is a small songbird of the New World warbler family (Parulidae). Nearly extinct just years ago, populations have recovered due to the conservation efforts of the Kirtland's Warbler Conservation Team and its members. The birds require large areas, greater than 160 acres, of dense young jack pine for breeding habitat. This habitat was historically created by wildfire, but today is created through the harvest of mature jack pine, and planting of jack pine seedlings.

Source: Wikipedia — Kirtland's warbler Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Medium warbler: blue-gray back with black streaks; bright yellow underparts with dark streaks on sides; white eye arcs.

Similar species. Yellow-rumped Warbler (yellow rump patch). Magnolia Warbler (yellow belly, distinct face pattern).

Voice. Loud emphatic song: "chip chip chip-CHEE-chee-chee."

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Insects (caterpillars, spiders) during breeding; fruits and seeds on Bahamian wintering grounds.

Behavior. Among the most habitat-specialized US birds — breeds only in young jack pine forests aged 5–20 years on sandy soils, almost entirely in northern Michigan (also Wisconsin, Ontario). Down to 167 singing males in 1974. Recovery driven by intensive habitat management (regular timber harvest creating jack pine regeneration) plus cowbird control. Delisted from ESA in 2019 — population now ~2,400 pairs.

§ Range

Michigan, Wisconsin (re-introduced)

§ Habitat

Young jack pine forests

§ Threats

Habitat loss, brown-headed cowbird parasitism.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the kirtland's warbler is currently classified as Near Threatened.

§ What helps

Support young jack pine habitat management.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • USFWS Kirtland's Warbler Recovery
  • Huron-Manistee National Forests
  • Michigan Department of Natural Resources
  • American Bird Conservancy
  • IUCN Red List 2020