Bold in black and yellow is the Magnolia Warbler! As we have seen in The Burgess Bird Book for Children, there are many warblers with black, yellow, and white patterns, but the Magnolia Warbler takes the cake with his striking combination. Burgess describes him like this,
The top of his head and the back of his neck were gray. Above his eye was a white stripe and his cheeks were black. His throat was clear yellow, just below which was a black band. From this black streaks ran down across his yellow breast. At the root of his tail he was yellow. His tail was mostly black on top and white underneath.
His wings were black and gray with two white bars. He was a little smaller than Fidget the Myrtle Warbler and quite as restless.
The Burgess Bird Book for Children, p. 133, Living Book Press Edition
Check out Cornell Lab’s All About Birds’ guide on Weechi to see just how striking this combination is, and I’m sure you’ll agree!
When we first read this chapter, I wondered why this bird had its name. Cornell Lab held the clue I was looking for:
In 1810, Alexander Wilson collected a warbler from a magnolia tree in Mississippi, giving it the English name “Black-and-yellow Warbler” and “magnolia” for the scientific species name, which became the common name over time.
All About Birds, Magnolia Warbler Overview
This is definitely a warbler that might be easier than not to spot by his striking colors and bold mask, but knowing different behaviors is also helpful to differentiate this warbler from the rest. Magnolia Warblers might stop through in your area while migrating. Look for them collecting and eating insects in the trees, from the bottom side of the leaves (source).
Here is our gathering for Weechi:
Until next time, keep on birding! <3 Kate
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