The mourning warbler is a small songbird of the New World warbler family. Mourning warblers are native to eastern and central North America as well as some countries in Central America. They are neotropical migrants and tend to be found in dense second growth forests. They are under the Wood-warbler category, which consists of arboreal and terrestrial colorful passerines. Wood warblers are in the order Passeriformes, which are perching birds including more than half of all bird species, and the family Parulidae which also includes the common yellowthroat, black and white warbler, Nashville warbler, ovenbird, and American redstart. They are very similar to the MacGillivray's warbler in appearance, especially in females and immature birds, but their breeding range does not overlap into the west.
Region
North and Central America
Typical Environment
Breeds across eastern and central Canada and the northeastern to north-central United States, favoring dense, shrubby second-growth and regenerating forest edges. During migration it passes through the eastern U.S. and Mexico. It winters from southern Mexico through Central America into northern South America, especially in dense understory and thickets. On the breeding grounds it is most often near clearcuts, blowdowns, and areas with lush herbaceous cover. In winter it keeps to thick vegetation in lowland to mid-elevation forests.
Altitude Range
0–2000 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The mourning warbler is a secretive wood-warbler that breeds in dense, regenerating habitats and clearcuts, often close to the ground. Adult males show a gray hood and a dark chest patch, while females and immatures are duller and lack the full bib. It closely resembles MacGillivray’s warbler, but typically lacks the distinct broken white eye-arcs; voice and range also help separate the two. Its preference for second-growth thickets means it can benefit from certain forestry and natural disturbances.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Generally solitary outside of breeding pairs and maintains territories in dense understory. Nests are placed low or on the ground, well hidden in thick vegetation. Pairs are seasonally monogamous; males sing from low perches within or just above the shrub layer.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
A rich, rolling series of phrases often rendered as chirry-churry-churry, delivered from concealed perches. Calls include sharp chips and tsip notes given from low cover.
