Blackburnian Warbler (male) © Kevin Bolton
“When the low morning sun shines full upon its gorgeous frontlet, backed by the dark recesses of the pines, it flashes out like a burning flame as the bird turns its breast suddenly to the light.”—Edward Howe Forbush, 1929
The fiery throat, face, and breast of the breeding Blackburnian Warbler set it apart from its fellows. A boreal forest warbler, most of the species’ breeding range lies in northern New England and eastern Canada. Although Blackburnian Warblers require fairly substantial areas of intact mature forest, they will tolerate some “edge” in that habitat, and have managed to keep their fires burning brightly throughout the past few centuries in Massachusetts.
Trend in Massachusetts
Increasing west of the Worcester Plateau.
Did you know?
The Blackburnian Warbler is the only North American warbler with an orange throat.