Northwest Territories · Summer breeder

Black-and-white Warblers in Northwest Territories

When black-and-white warblers are present in Northwest Territories, when they nest, which native Northwest Territories plants feed them, and how to host them in a Canada 0a–1a yard.

Wood-warblers (Parulidae)Black-and-white WarblerMniotilta varia
Status in Northwest Territories
Summer breeder
Nesting window
June–July
Broods
1 per season
Hardiness zones
Canada 0a–1a

When to expect black-and-white warblers in Northwest Territories

Black-and-white Warblers are summer residents in Northwest Territories, arriving shortly before nesting begins in June and leaving after the young are independent.

Subarctic boreal forest in the south, Arctic tundra in the north.

Nesting in Northwest Territories

Across Northwest Territories, black-and-white warblers typically nest from June–July. Plan around that window: May for setup, July for clean-out.

Brief summers with midnight sun.

  • Black-and-white Warblers don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as paper birch, chokecherry, balsam fir for nest sites.
  • Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.

Native Northwest Territories plants that attract black-and-white warblers

Of the regional native plants we track for Northwest Territories, these 7 provide food or cover black-and-white warblers use:

Paper birch
Betula papyrifera · Tree

Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.

Chokecherry
Prunus virginiana · Shrub

Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.

Balsam fir
Abies balsamea · Tree

Spruce-budworm habitat and dense winter roosting cover.

White spruce
Picea glauca · Tree

Cone crops drive winter irruptions of finches and crossbills.

Tamarack
Larix laricina · Tree

Deciduous conifer with small cones for siskins and redpolls.

Willow (Bebb)
Salix bebbiana · Shrub

Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.

Dwarf birch
Betula glandulosa · Shrub

Catkin seed for redpolls on the tundra.

Feeding black-and-white warblers through the Northwest Territories year

  • Top foods: Suet (rarely, on migration).
  • In Northwest Territories's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.

Full diet breakdown for black-and-white warblers · Best feeder for black-and-white warblers

Frequently asked

Are black-and-white warblers in Northwest Territories year-round?

No. Black-and-white Warblers are summer breeders in Northwest Territories and leave for the winter.

When do black-and-white warblers nest in Northwest Territories?

Nesting in Northwest Territories typically runs June–July, with 1 per season. Clutches are 4–6 eggs, incubated for 10–12 days.

What native plants attract black-and-white warblers in Northwest Territories?

Paper birch, Chokecherry, Balsam fir, White spruce, Tamarack, Willow (Bebb), Dwarf birch are native plants in Northwest Territories that provide food or cover for black-and-white warblers.

Black-and-white Warblers in other regions

Other backyard birds in Northwest Territories

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
  4. eBird region overview and bar charts — Northwest Territories
  5. Plant Hardiness Zones of Canada — Natural Resources Canada
  6. Audubon Native Plants Database

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.