The black-and-white warbler is a small perching bird that is 4.3-5.1 inches (11-13 cm) in length with a wingspan of 7.1-8.7 inches (18-22 cm).
It has black and white stripes that run from the crown of its head to its rump. The male has a black throat, and the female has a white throat. inches in length. It has a slightly hooked bill, webbed feet, and 6-10 inch long pointed center tail feathers that stick out beyond its other tail feathers.
During the non-breeding season, it loses its center tail feathers. In the breeding season, it has a gray back and wings, a white head and belly, and a dark brown cap on its head. In the non-breeding season, its cap has white and gray spots on it, and its undersides have light brown and white bars. Males and females look alike.
The black-and-white warbler is found in deciduous and mixed forests.
The black-and-white warbler is sometimes called the black-and-white creeper. It creeps around tree trunks and branches in search of insects and spiders hidden under the bark.
Unlike the brown creeper, the black-and-white warbler can creep in any direction.
Male black-and-white warblers arrive at the breeding ground first, usually in April or May, and establish a territory. Males court females by pursuing them, preening, and singing. Once the chase is over, the male will perch next to a female and flutter his wings.
The female builds an open cup nest of leaves, pine needles, grass, and bark on the ground, usually at the base of a log or a tree. She lays 4-5 eggs and incubates them for 10-12 days.
The male helps protect the nest and brings food to the female while she is nesting. Both parents feed the chicks and defend the nest. The chicks fledge in 8 to 12 days. Most females have only one brood year.
The black-and-white warbler has a lifespan of 5 to 6 years in the wild.
The black-and-white warbler is more aggressive than most warblers and will attack red-breasted nuthatches, black-capped chickadees, and other birds.
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The black-and-white warbler breeds across New Hampshire.
The black-and-white warbler breeds from southern Canada south through the eastern U.S. to Florida.
It winters in the Gulf Coast, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America.
The black and white warbler is one of the first warblers to return in the spring.
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