Migrant Warblers

Boreal migrants such as the Blackpoll Warbler and Magnolia Warbler are under increasing pressure throughout their ranges. One of the principal goals of our work in Apalachicola is to find out how important the barrier islands are as en route stopover sites for these species. 

Blackpoll Warblers perform one of the most impressive migrations of all North American birds. Weighing just 12 grams, they breed in the boreal forests of Canada and spend the rest of the year in the rainforest of South America.

To fuel this journey, they must first double their body weight in fat stores. They then take off on a non-stop flight that will take them over 1,000 miles, crossing over vast sections of ocean. Like most migrating songbirds, they migrate at night, using celestial cues to orient themselves.

 The Magnolia Warbler has very specific habitat requirements during the breeding season, depending on young stands of conifers. During the winter, it is found in a variety of habitats in the West Indies and Central America. Very active and colorful, the Magnolia is one of the crown jewels of the wood-warbler family.

These two birds are both adult males that we have caught in the past week on St. George Island. Males arrive first in the Spring, so that they can establish their breeding territories before the arrival of the females.