Cerulean warbler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cerulean warbler |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Setophaga
|
| Species: |
cerulea
|
 |
|
| Range of S. cerulea Breeding range Wintering range | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Sylvia cerulea Wilson, 1810 |
|
The cerulean warbler (Setophaga cerulea) is a small, colorful songbird. It belongs to a group of birds called New World warblers. These birds are known for their beautiful songs.
Adult male cerulean warblers have bright cerulean blue backs and white undersides. They also have a black band across their chest, like a necklace. You can see black stripes on their backs and sides. Female and young birds look a bit different. They have grey or greenish backs and a light stripe above their eyes. They do not have the black necklace or stripes. All cerulean warblers have special white bars on their wings and a thin, pointed beak.
These birds live in deciduous forests in eastern North America during the spring and summer. This is when they have their babies. When winter comes, they fly south to mountain forests in South America. The cerulean warbler is currently listed as near threatened by the IUCN. This means it is not in immediate danger of disappearing forever, but its numbers are getting lower.
Contents
What Does a Cerulean Warbler Look Like?
Adult male cerulean warblers are easy to spot with their bright blue backs. Their bellies are white, and they have a distinct black band across their chest. They also have black stripes on their back and sides.
Female and young cerulean warblers are a bit different. Their upper parts are more grey or greenish. They have a light stripe above their eyes. Unlike the males, they do not have the black chest band or stripes on their backs. No matter their age, all cerulean warblers have white bars on their wings. They also have a thin, pointed bill, which is perfect for catching insects.
Cerulean Warbler Measurements
Here are some average sizes for these small birds:
- Length: About 4.3 inches (11 cm)
- Weight: Around 0.3 to 0.35 ounces (8 to 10 grams)
- Wingspan: About 7.9 inches (20 cm)
Where Do Cerulean Warblers Live?
Cerulean warblers spend their breeding season in eastern North America. They prefer mature deciduous forests. These are forests with trees that lose their leaves in the fall.
When winter arrives in North America, these birds make a long journey. They migrate south to mountain forests in South America. They stay there until it's time to fly back north for spring.
How Do Cerulean Warblers Behave?
Cerulean warblers are very active birds. They spend a lot of time high up in the trees, looking for food. They mainly eat insects. Sometimes, they even catch insects while flying!
Their nests are shaped like a cup. They build these nests on a horizontal branch, usually high up in a hardwood tree. The male cerulean warbler has a special song. It sounds like a buzzed, fast zray zray zray zray zeeee. Their call is a slurred chip.
Protecting the Cerulean Warbler
The cerulean warbler is one of the fastest declining Neotropical songbirds. This means their population is shrinking quickly. One big problem is that their winter homes in the northern Andes mountains are disappearing.
Many groups are working hard to help these birds. The American Bird Conservancy (ABC) is one of them. They work with partners in South America, like Fundación ProAves in Colombia. Together, they are protecting the forests where cerulean warblers spend their winters. They even created the Cerulean Warbler Bird Reserve. This was the first protected area made just for a bird that migrates from North to South America.
In 2009, ABC and its partners created a plan to protect the cerulean warbler's wintering grounds. This plan helps make sure these special birds have safe places to live.
Cerulean Warblers in Art and Stories
The famous artist John James Audubon painted the cerulean warbler. His painting is in his well-known book, Birds of America. In the painting, two warblers are shown sitting on a bearberry bush.
The cerulean warbler also appears in modern stories. Author Jonathan Franzen used the bird as part of the story in his 2010 novel, Freedom.
Even the popular children's TV show Curious George featured the cerulean warbler. In an episode called "The Big Picture," The Man in the Yellow Hat writes a book about this bird. George tries to help him share the book with others.
Images for kids
-
Adult male Cerulean warbler close-up, showing "necklace" and streaking
-
Female cerulean warbler in the nest
-
Cerulean warbler eggs
-
San Vicente Migratory Bird Festival
.jpg)
See also
In Spanish: Reinita cerúlea para niños
