The black-throated gray warbler or black-throated grey warbler is a passerine bird of the New World warbler family Parulidae. It is 13 cm (5.1 in) long and has gray and white plumage with black markings. The male has the bold black throat of its name, and black stripes on its head, as well as black streaks on its flanks; the female is a paler version of the male, with a white throat and less distinct black markings on the flanks and wings. It breeds in western North America from British Columbia to New Mexico, and winters in Mexico and the southwestern United States. The habitats it prefers are coniferous and mixed forests and scrubland, especially those with pinyon pines, junipers, sagebrush, and oaks. Its nest is an open cup of plant fibers lined with feathers, built a few metres from the ground in the branches of a tree or shrub. Three to five eggs are laid, and young are fed by both parents. Common in its breeding range, it does not seem to be seriously threatened by human activities, unlike many migratory warblers.
Region
Western North America
Typical Environment
Breeds from British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest through the interior West to the southwestern United States, especially in coniferous and mixed woodlands. It favors pinyon–juniper, oak, and dry montane forests, and also uses extensive sagebrush and chaparral. In winter it occurs mainly in northwestern and western Mexico and locally into the southwestern United States. During migration it moves through riparian corridors, foothills, and urban parks with mature trees. It typically forages in the outer foliage from low to mid-canopy.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 3000 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This compact wood-warbler is one of the few in its family that regularly inhabits arid scrub such as sagebrush and pinyon–juniper. A tiny yellow spot in front of the eye helps separate it from similar black-and-white patterned warblers. It often joins mixed-species flocks outside the breeding season and forages by gleaning and brief hover-gleans at leaf tips.
An illustration of a male
Second-year female
Temperament
active and somewhat territorial in breeding season
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile, darting moves among foliage
Social Behavior
Breeding pairs defend small territories and build an open cup nest a few meters above ground in trees or shrubs. Both parents incubate and feed the young. Outside the breeding season it often joins mixed-species flocks. It forages by gleaning from leaves and twigs and occasionally hover-gleaning.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Male sings a simple, buzzy series of thin notes and trills, often delivered from mid-canopy perches. Calls include sharp, high chips used during foraging and contact. The song carries well but lacks the complex flourishes of many other wood-warblers.
