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Warblers, with their brilliantly colored feathers, are the tiny jewels of Ohio's bird families. They are very active - constantly flittering around. Most are yellow with black-and-white markings. Their plumage varies considerably from spring to fall, juvenile to adult, and male to female. The tail is square, often with white markings. Warblers feed almost entirely on insects gleaned from leaves and twigs with their slender bills. Members of this family abound in any Ohio woodland or brushy area during the spring and fall migration seasons. In spring their buzzlike songs (not warbling) fill the air with a delightful chorus. This beautiful songbird is a Species of Concern in Ohio.
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Cerulean Warbler
Dendroica cerulea
At-a-Glance
• Peak Breeding Activity: May-June
• Incubation: 11-13 days
• Clutch Size: 4 eggs
• Young Fledge: 10-11 days after hatching
• Typical Foods: insects
• Ohio Status: Species of Concern
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Description
The male cerulean warbler has a blue back and white underparts, with a narrow black bar across the chest. The female is blue-gray or olive green above and whitish below with two white wing bars and a white eyebrow stripe.
Habitat and Habits
Wherever mature deciduous woodlands (particularly oak-hickory forests) occur in Ohio, cerulean warblers will be members of the nesting fauna. These warblers prefer large wooded tracts of at least 50 to 75 acres, and normally avoid isolated woodlots that are less than 20 to 25 acres in extent. Territories will be established within the interiors and along the edges of these woodlands, although the interiors may provide the preferred sites. Their quick buzzy song, which speeds in tempo, is easily heard.
Reproduction and Care of the Young
Most cerulean warbler nests are placed at heights of 30 to 60 feet among the outer branches of tall trees. Nest construction is prevalent in May and June and the young usually fledge in late June and July. |
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