On several birding Facebook groups I’ve seen photos of a cute little bird called a Black-and-White Warbler. On recent birding trips I’ve been looking for one to photograph, but I haven’t have any luck finding one.
Then, Tuesday morning, I looked out into my backyard and saw one hopping around on the truck of our Sweet Gum Tree. I grabbed my camera and got a few shots before it flew away.
Apparently, the Black-and-White Warbler isn’t a regular backyard visitor. AllAboutBirds.org said of this bird, “Deciduous forest and mixed forest are the preferred summer habitats of Black-and-White Warblers, usually with trees of mixed ages that provide a variety of foraging substrates. On migration, look for them in any forest or woodlot. They winter in forests and forest edges from Florida to Colombia.”
I’m not sure my backyard could be called a forest or forest edge, but I’m glad it was mistaken for that by this bird.
The website also noted that the Black-and-White Warblers have “an extra-long hind claw and heavier legs” than other warblers, helping them attach to tree bark to hunt for insects.
Though the odds are probably low, I’ll be looking to see if it returns. Until then, I get to mark it down as entry No. 128 on my bird catalog.
