Black-and-white Warbler in January
Where black-and-white warblers are in January, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
January in the Black-and-white Warbler's year
January is the coldest month across most of the US and Canada. Natural food is at its scarcest — insects are dormant, many seed heads are stripped, and snow cover hides what remains. Birds concentrate where food is reliable, which makes this the single best month to watch a well-stocked feeding station.
For the Black-and-white Warbler specifically, January is a winter month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 43 states and provinces where black-and-white warblers occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where black-and-white warblers are in January
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- winter visitor
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In January, black-and-white warblers are absent in the South, winter visitor across the mid-latitudes, and absent in the northern states and Canada. That north–south split is the defining feature of this month: where you live changes which version of this bird you're looking at.
Nesting in January
Black-and-white warblers are not nesting in January. The season runs May–July at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, black-and-white warblers put their energy into feeding and flocking rather than territory and young — which is exactly what makes them easier to watch and attract this month.
What to feed in January
- Insects in the tropics; suet on rare occasions
The only warbler that habitually creeps on trunks; occasionally visits suet during cold migration snaps.
Keep feeders consistently filled; birds add dependable stations to their daily foraging routes and suffer when one suddenly runs empty during a cold snap. High-energy foods matter most now.
Full Black-and-white Warbler diet guide → · Best feeder for black-and-white warblers →
Watching black-and-white warblers this month
Black-and-white warblers are settled and predictable in January, which makes this a good month to learn the bird's routine — same feeders, same perches, same times of day.
The state guides below show exactly where in your region black-and-white warblers are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Black-and-white Warbler month by month
Black-and-white Warbler by state
Frequently asked
Where are black-and-white warblers in January?
In January, black-and-white warblers are absent in the South, winter visitor across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do black-and-white warblers nest in January?
No — black-and-white warblers typically nest May through July at mid-latitudes.
What do black-and-white warblers eat in January?
Insects in the tropics; suet on rare occasions.
Sources
- Black-and-white Warbler — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Black-and-white Warbler life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- 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.