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Blackburnian Warbler

Setophaga fusca

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

Known as the 'fire-throat' of the forest, the Blackburnian Warbler is a stunning gem of the high canopy. With its flaming orange plumage and high-pitched song, it is one of the most sought-after sightings for backyard birders during migration.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 4.3–5.1 in (11–13 cm); Wingspan: 7.9–8.7 in (20–22 cm); Weight: 0.3–0.5 oz (8–13 g)

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Colors

Adult males possess a brilliant fire-orange throat and face framed in black. Females and immatures show similar but muted patterns in pale yellow and olive-gray.

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Key Features

Brilliant flaming orange throat and breast on males
Triangular black or gray cheek patch
Large white wing bars on dark wings
White belly with black streaks along the flanks

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 6-10 AM, 3-6 PM

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Season May-June (Breeding) and September-October (Migration)

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Diet Primarily insectivorous, feeding on caterpillars, beetles, ants, and spiders gleaned from tree foliage. During winter, they may supplement their diet with berries or nectar.

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Habitat Breeds in mature coniferous and mixed forests, particularly those with hemlock and spruce. During migration, they can be found in parklands and suburban gardens with tall trees.

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Where Does the Blackburnian Warbler Live?

Native to the Americas, the Blackburnian Warbler is a long-distance traveler with a range that spans from the boreal forests of Canada down to the Andes Mountains. In the summer, they occupy a core breeding range stretching from the southern Canadian Prairies through the Great Lakes and New England, extending south along the Appalachian Mountains to North Carolina. As autumn approaches, they undertake an incredible journey across the Gulf of Mexico to their wintering grounds in southern Central America and northern South America, primarily in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. While they are occasional visitors to the western United States during migration, they are almost never found outside of the Western Hemisphere.

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9 Countries

5.6M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

CA Canada US United States CO Colombia EC Ecuador PE Peru VE Venezuela PA Panama CR Costa Rica MX Mexico

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

The Blackburnian Warbler is a high-canopy specialist, often spending its days foraging in the uppermost tips of coniferous trees. They are restless and energetic, moving with quick, jerky hops along branches as they glean insects from the undersides of needles. Because they prefer the highest reaches of the forest, they are often difficult to spot from the ground, frequently referred to by birders as 'neck-breakers' due to the angle required to see them.

During the breeding season, males are highly territorial and use their thin, high-pitched songs to defend their space in the hemlocks and spruces. Despite their solitary nature during nesting, they become quite social during migration, often joining mixed-species flocks with other warblers, kinglets, and chickadees as they journey between continents.

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Camera Tips

Capturing a Blackburnian Warbler on a backyard camera is a rewarding challenge because they typically stay in the treetops. To bring them down to camera level, a moving water feature is your best tool. An elevated birdbath with a dripper or a small solar-powered fountain will attract them during their migration stopovers, as the sound of splashing water is irresistible to tired warblers looking to bathe and drink.

Place your camera approximately 3 to 5 feet away from the water source at a slight downward angle. Since these birds are incredibly fast, use a camera with a high trigger speed (0.2 seconds or less) and set it to 'Burst Mode' or 'Photo + Video' to ensure you catch the action. If your camera allows for shutter speed adjustment, aim for 1/1000th of a second or faster to freeze their rapid movements.

Position the setup in a spot that receives dappled sunlight rather than harsh, direct midday sun. This prevents the brilliant orange of the male's throat from 'blowing out' or overexposing in the image. In the spring (May) and late summer (August/September), focus your efforts on areas near mature trees, especially if you have evergreens like hemlock or pine nearby, as these act as natural magnets for the species.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Blackburnian Warbler.

Yellow-throated Warbler

Lacks the orange tones of the Blackburnian, featuring a bright yellow throat and a clean white eyebrow line.

American Redstart

While also orange and black, the Redstart has orange patches on its wings and tail rather than a solid orange throat.

Bay-breasted Warbler

Has a dark chestnut (not orange) throat and crown, and lacks the bright facial markings of the Blackburnian.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Blackburnian Warblers are most active in the early morning, shortly after sunrise, when they forage intensely for insects. They exhibit another smaller peak of activity in the late afternoon before dusk.

The best way to attract them is by providing a clean, moving water source like a birdbath with a dripper. Planting native tall trees, particularly conifers like hemlock or spruce, provides the high-altitude foraging habitat they prefer.

They are almost entirely insectivorous, specializing in forest insects like caterpillars, beetles, and spiders. They generally do not eat seeds, so they won't visit traditional bird feeders, but they may occasionally visit suet during cold snaps.

They are uncommon in suburbs except during spring and fall migration. During these periods, they will stop in any area with sufficient tree cover, including suburban parks and backyards, to refuel for their long flight.

Look at the face and throat color: the Blackburnian male has a fiery orange throat and an orange 'eyebrow,' whereas the Yellow-throated Warbler has a bright yellow throat and a distinct white 'eyebrow' (supercilium) with no orange tones.

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