Daily Bird 2024: Canada Warbler

Canada Warbler, photo by Gilles Carter.

Canada Warbler
Cardellina canadensis

May 24, 2024—The Canada Warbler, with its distinctive black necklace, is a sought-after bird for many birders. Listen for a clear “chip” note followed by an explosive series of short notes often ending in a three-note phrase—a key identifier when searching for this species.

The Canada Warbler approaches its southern limit of breeding distribution in Connecticut and further south in the Appalachian mountain range. As a long-distance migrant, it journeys to northern South America each winter.

During the 2024 Migration Magic Birdathon, they’ve been reported as early as May 6 and as recently as May 23, and in locations including Birdcraft in Fairfield, Trail Wood in Hampton, East Rock Park in New Haven, and near a birder’s garden in Woodbury. 

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In breeding season, Canada Warblers favor mixed coniferous-deciduous forests with dense undergrowth, often dominated by mountain laurel. In the past, they’ve nested at Connecticut Audubon’s Croft Preserve in Goshen, as well as in Peoples State Forest in Barkhamsted and Mohawk State Forest in Goshen. 

Male Canada Warblers are readily identifiable by their unmarked gray upper-parts, vibrant yellow underparts, black facial markings, and the striking black necklace that earns them the moniker “Necklaced Warbler.” 

The upper body of the female is a muted grayish-olive color, lacking the bold black necklace and markings of her male counterpart. Although you can often see a faint necklace of dusky streaking across her chest, and her face may have subtle dark markings. In both sexes look for the bold white eye ring, which stands out against their darker heads.

Canada Warbler is considered a Bird of Conservation Concern by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Primary threats include habitat loss on its breeding and wintering grounds, as well as climate change and pesticide use.

This is adapted from an earlier article written for Connecticut Audubon by Paul Cianfaglione.