White-winged warbler facts for kids

Quick facts for kids White-winged warbler
Conservation status
Vulnerable (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Phaenicophilidae
Genus:	Xenoligea Bond, 1967
Species:	X. montana
Binomial name
Xenoligea montana (Chapman, 1917)
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The white-winged warbler (Xenoligea montana) is a small bird that lives only on the island of Hispaniola. This island is shared by the countries of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. It's also called the white-winged ground-warbler. This special bird is considered a Vulnerable species, which means its population is decreasing and it needs protection. It belongs to a bird family called Phaenicophilidae.

About This Bird's Family Tree

The white-winged warbler is the only bird in its group, called Xenoligea. It was first placed in a different group, Microligea, along with the green-tailed warbler.

Scientists weren't sure if these birds belonged with other New World wood warblers. Later, DNA tests showed they were not closely related. So, in 2017, they were moved to a new family called Phaenicophilidae.

This bird is monotypic, which means there are no different types or subspecies of the white-winged warbler.

What Does It Look Like?

The white-winged warbler is about 13 to 14 cm (5.1 to 5.5 in) long. It weighs around 12 to 13 g (0.42 to 0.46 oz). Male and female birds look very similar.

Adult white-winged warblers have a gray head and neck. They have a white stripe from their beak to their eye. There are also white arcs above and below their eyes. Their back and rump are olive green.

The tail is a very dark gray, almost black. It has white spots on the tips of the outer feathers. Their wings are also dark gray. They have a white patch on their wings that you can see when the wings are folded. The underside of the bird is white, with some gray on the chest and sides. Young birds look like adults but have a brownish color overall.

Where Does It Live?

The white-winged warbler lives in the mountains of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. In the Dominican Republic, it is found in areas like the Cordillera Central. In Haiti, it lives in the Massif de la Hotte.

This bird lives in different kinds of forests. All these forests have one thing in common: a lot of dense plants close to the ground. These include humid broadleaf, pine, and limestone forests. They also live in forests that are growing back after being cut down.

They usually live at heights between 875 and 2,000 m (2,900 and 6,600 ft) above sea level. They are most common above 1,300 m (4,300 ft).

Lifespan

The white-winged warbler usually lives for three to six years. The oldest known white-winged warbler lived for at least eight years. Scientists found this out because they put a band on its leg in 1998 and found it again in 2006.

Behavior

Movement

The white-winged warbler stays in the same area all year round. It does not migrate.

Feeding

This bird looks for food at all levels of the forest. It eats arthropods (like insects and spiders) and seeds. It especially likes the seeds of a plant called Trema micrantha.

White-winged warblers often look for food in small groups. They also join groups with other birds from their family. Sometimes, they even join groups with the Hispaniolan spindalis.

Reproduction

Scientists believe the white-winged warbler's nesting season is from May to July. Only one nest has ever been found, in 2004.

This nest was shaped like a cup. It was made of moss, leaves, and other plant materials. It was lined with small fibers. The nest was placed in a thick group of vines about 2.5 m (8 ft) above the ground. It held two eggs. Not much else is known about how these birds raise their young.

Vocalization

Scientists have recorded the sounds of the white-winged warbler. Its song is a series of high-pitched, squeaky notes. These notes get faster towards the end of the song.

It also makes a low-pitched "tseep" sound. Another call is a low, chattering sound like "suit..suit..suit..chir..suit..suit..suit..suit..chir..chi".

Status

The white-winged warbler is listed as a Vulnerable species by the IUCN. This means its population is at risk. It has been considered vulnerable since 1994.

Scientists estimate there are only about 1,500 to 7,000 adult birds left. Their population is spread out and is believed to be shrinking. A lot of their forest home has been cut down, especially in Haiti. Also, animals like the small Indian mongoose, which were brought to the island, might be eating the birds. This could also be causing their numbers to go down.

See also

In Spanish: Reinita montana para niños