Perch Supply
Wood-warblers (Parulidae)

Black-and-white Warbler

Mniotilta varia. Insects and larvae probed from bark furrows.

Wood-warblers (Parulidae)Black-and-white WarblerMniotilta varia
Scientific name
Mniotilta varia
Length
4.3–5.1 in
Weight
0.3–0.5 oz
Nest
Cup on the ground at the base of a tree or stump
Entrance hole
Does not use nest boxes
Clutch
4–6 eggs
Incubation
10–12 days
Broods
1 per season

Identification

  • Boldly striped black and white all over
  • Striped crown
  • Creeps along trunks like a nuthatch

Voice

Thin, squeaky 'weesa-weesa-weesa'.

Diet and feeding

Insects and larvae probed from bark furrows.

What do black-and-white warblers eat? · Best feeder for black-and-white warblers

Black-and-white Warblers by state and province

RegionStatusNesting
AlabamaSummer breederApril–July
AlbertaSummer breederJune–July
ArkansasSummer breederMay–July
British ColumbiaSummer breederJune–July
ConnecticutSummer breederMay–July
DelawareSummer breederMay–July
FloridaWinter visitor—
GeorgiaSummer breederApril–July
IllinoisSummer breederMay–July
IndianaSummer breederMay–July
IowaSummer breederMay–July
KentuckySummer breederMay–July
LouisianaSummer breederApril–July
MaineSummer breederJune–July
ManitobaSummer breederJune–July
MarylandSummer breederMay–July
MassachusettsSummer breederMay–July
MichiganSummer breederMay–July
MinnesotaSummer breederJune–July
MississippiSummer breederApril–July
MissouriSummer breederMay–July
New BrunswickSummer breederJune–July
New HampshireSummer breederJune–July
New JerseySummer breederMay–July
New YorkSummer breederMay–July
Newfoundland and LabradorSummer breederJune–July
North CarolinaSummer breederMay–July
Northwest TerritoriesSummer breederJune–July
Nova ScotiaSummer breederJune–July
OhioSummer breederMay–July
OntarioSummer breederJune–July
PennsylvaniaSummer breederMay–July
Prince Edward IslandSummer breederJune–July
QuebecSummer breederJune–July
Rhode IslandSummer breederMay–July
SaskatchewanSummer breederJune–July
South CarolinaSummer breederApril–July
TennesseeSummer breederMay–July
TexasWinter visitor—
VermontSummer breederJune–July
VirginiaSummer breederMay–July
West VirginiaSummer breederMay–July
WisconsinSummer breederJune–July

Frequently asked

What do black-and-white warblers eat?

Insects and larvae probed from bark furrows. At feeders: suet (rarely, on migration).

How big is a Black-and-white Warbler?

4.3–5.1 in long and 0.3–0.5 oz.

Do black-and-white warblers use birdhouses?

No. Cup on the ground at the base of a tree or stump.

Sources

  1. Black-and-white Warbler — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  2. Black-and-white Warbler life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  3. Black-and-white Warbler — Audubon Guide to North American Birds

Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.