Species ListKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClass Aves Order PasseriformesFamily ParulidaeSeiurus aurocapilla ovenbird Helmitheros vermivorum worm-eating warblerParkesia motacilla Louisiana waterthrushVermivora cyanoptera blue-winged warblerMniotilta varia black-and-white warblerProtonotaria citrea prothonotary warblerLimnothlypis swainsonii Swainson's warbler

Geothlypis formosa Kentucky warblerGeothlypis trichas common yellowthroatSetophaga citrina hooded warblerSetophaga ruticilla American redstartSetophaga cerulea cerulean warblerSetophaga americana northern parulaSetophaga petechia yellow warblerSetophaga pensylvanica chestnut-sided warblerSetophaga pinus pine warblerSetophaga dominica yellow-throated warblerSetophaga discolor prairie warblerIcteria virens yellow-breasted chat

Wood-warblers are members of the Family Parulidae. They are small birds thatuse their needlelike bill to capture the insects that make up the majority of

their diet. Males and females have a similar appearance in some of the species, whilein others, the male and female have different feather coloration (dimorphism). Inspring and summer the dimorphic males and the males and females of the otherwood-warbler species are brilliantly colored, but in fall, most warbler species havedrab coloration, and identification may be difficult. Wood-warblers are migratorybirds. They winter from the southern United States to South America. Nineteenwood-warbler species are known to breed in Illinois. They are the species featured onthis poster. Eighteen other wood-warbler species migrate through the state, and fivespecies are casual visitors to Illinois. Wood-warblers are vital components of Illinois’ecosystems and their associated food webs. You can learn more about each specieson the back side of the poster.

This poster was made possible by:

Illinois Department ofNatural ResourcesDivision of Education

Funding for this poster was made possiblein part by a donation from the IllinoisAudubon Society.

American redstart Setophaga ruticilla

male Photo © David C. Olson female Photo © Carol Freeman

black-and-white warbler Mniotilta varia

male Photo © Brian Tang female Photo © Rob Curtis, The Early Birder Photo © Rob Curtis, The Early Birder

cerulean warbler Setophaga cerulea

male Photo © David C. Olson female Photo © Joanne Kamo

chestnut-sided warbler Setophaga pensylvanica common yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas

male Photo © Rob Curtis, The Early Birder female Photo © Rob Curtis, The Early Birder male Photo © John Cassady female Photo © Richard Day, Daybreak Imagery

hooded warbler Setophaga citrina

male Photo © Rob Curtis, The Early Birder female Photo © Rob Curtis, The Early Birder

northern parula Setophaga americana

Photo © Rob Curtis, The Early Birder Photo © Rob Curtis, The Early Birder male Photo © John Cassady female Photo © Rob Curtis, The Early Birder

Photo © Rob Curtis, The Early Birder Photo © Rob Curtis, The Early Birder

prairie warbler Setophaga discolor prothonotary warbler Protonotaria citrea

male Photo © John Cassady female Photo © Joanne Kamo male Photo © John Cassady female Photo © Rob Curtis, The Early Birder

Photo © Greg Lavaty Photo © Rob Curtis, The Early Birder

yellow warbler Setophaga petechia

male Photo © Brian Tang female Photo © Rob Curtis, The Early Birder Photo © Joanne Kamo Photo © Rob Curtis, The Early Birder

blue-winged warblerVermivora cyanoptera

Kentucky warblerGeothlypis formosa

ovenbirdSeiurus aurocapilla

pine warblerSetophaga pinus

Swainson’s warblerLimnothlypis swainsonii

worm-eating warblerHelmitheros vermivorum

Louisiana waterthrushParkesia motacilla

yellow-breasted chatIcteria virens

yellow-throated warblerSetophaga dominica

More information about Illinois wood-warblers is available from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). The Division of Natural Heritage manages and monitors bird populations. Natural Heritage personnel also provide assistance to landowners regarding establishingand maintaining bird habitat. The IDNR Division of Education provides supplemental resources for educators to use, including the Illinois Common Birds activity book, Illinois Birds resources trunk that is available for loan from more than 50 lending locations statewide, Field TripPacks for early childhood educators and the Biodiversity of Illinois series of CD-ROMs that are field guides to more than 1,000 species in the state. Wood Projects for Illinois Wildlife is an IDNR booklet that includes plans for nesting boxes that are used by some warblers.Publications are available through http://dnr.state.il.us/teachkids. The Illinois Audubon Society’s mission is to promote the perpetuation and appreciation of the native flora and fauna of Illinois and the habitats that support them. Fundamental to this end are the control of pollution,the conservation of energy and all natural resources, a sound ecological relationship between human populations and their environments and the education and involvement of the public in such efforts.

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES ILLINOIS AUDUBON SOCIETYDivision of Education Division of Natural Heritage 2315 Clear Lake Avenue (office) P. O. Box 2547 (mailing)One Natural Resources Way One Natural Resources Way Springfield, IL 62703 Springfield, IL 62708Springfield, IL 62702-1271 Springfield, IL 62702-1271 217-544-2473

http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/education http://www.dnr.illinois.gov http://www.illinoisaudubon.org217-524-4126 217-785-8691dnr.teachkids@illinois.gov

Agency Resources

Species DescriptionsWood-warblers generally feed on insects. Any exceptions are noted in thedescriptions. Length measurement refers to bill tip to tail tip in preservedspecimens and varies somewhat from that of live birds.

American redstartSetophaga ruticilla

Size: 5.0-7.0”Identifying Features: The male American redstart is black with orangepatches on the wings and tail. The female is green-brown with yellowpatches on the wings and tail. An immature male has the same colorationas the female except the wing and tail patches are orange.Illinois Range: This species is a common migrant and fairly commonsummer resident statewide. Winter Range: These birds winter from the southern United Statesthrough South America. Males return in spring before females.Illinois Habitat: The preferred habitat is open woodland with a shrubbyunderstory.Nesting: Nesting occurs from May through July with the nest placed inthe fork of a tree or shrub. A clutch usually contains four white eggs withred-brown markings. One brood is raised per year.Fall Migration: Fall migration begins in late July.

black-and-white warblerMniotilta varia

Size: 4.5-5.5”Identifying Features: This species has black and white lengthwise stripeson the back, head and belly. The male has a black throat patch that is ab-sent in the female, and the female is lighter underneath than the male.Illinois Range: The black-and-white warbler is a common migrantstatewide and a very rare summer resident in the southern half of the state.Winter Range: They winter from the southern United States to northernSouth America. These birds begin arriving in Illinois in late March orearly April.Illinois Habitat: Their preferred habitat is woodlands, especially thoseon hillsides or in ravines. They creep along branches from mid- to low-lev-els searching for insects.Nesting: The nest is placed on or near the ground and is usually coveredwith a pile of leaves. A clutch normally contains five white eggs with brownspeckles. One brood is raised per year.Fall Migration: Fall migration begins in July.

blue-winged warblerVermivora cyanoptera

Size: 4.5-5.0”Identifying Features:Male and female blue-winged warblers are similarin appearance. The head and belly are yellow. The wings are blue. The backand tail are green-brown. There are two white bars on each wing, and athin black mark extends through each eye.Illinois Range: This species is an uncommon migrant and summer resi-dent statewide.Winter Range: These birds winter from Mexico to Panama. Spring mi-grants begin returning to Illinois in April.Illinois Habitat:Woodlands, brushy hillsides and swamps are the preferredhabitats. These birds feed in the middle- to lower-levels of vegetation.Nesting: Nesting occurs in May and June. The nest is placed on or nearthe ground, supported by dead leaves or vegetation. Four to six white eggswith brown speckles comprise a clutch.Fall Migration: Fall migration begins in August.

cerulean warbler Setophaga cerulea

Size: 4.5”Identifying Features: The male cerulean warbler is blue on the back,white underneath and has a thin black band on the upper chest. The fe-male is olive-green above, white underneath and has a white line aboveeach eye. Both sexes have two white wing bars per wing.Illinois Range: This species is an uncommon migrant and summer resi-dent statewide, although it is more commonly found in southern Illinois.Winter Range: Cerulean warblers winter in South America. Migrantsbegin arriving in Illinois in April.Illinois Habitat: The preferred habitat is mature bottomland forest withtall trees and an open understory. These birds forage in the treetops.Nesting: The nest is built in a large tree from 20-60 feet above ground,far out on the branch away from the tree trunk. A clutch of four eggs istypical, and one brood is raised annually.Fall Migration: Fall migration begins in August.

chestnut-sided warblerSetophaga pensylvanica

Size: 5.0”Identifying Features: A yellow crown and chestnut sides are identifyingfeatures for the male of this species in its breeding plumage. The femalehas similar coloration, but the chestnut is lighter and less prominent. In thenonbreeding condition, the birds are green above, white below, have a whiteeye ring, pale yellow wing bars and some chestnut coloration on the sides.Illinois Range: The chestnut-sided warbler is a common migrantstatewide and a rare to locally uncommon summer resident in the state.Winter Range: These birds winter in Mexico and Central America. Mi-grants begin arriving in Illinois in late April.Illinois Habitat: Shrubby areas in old pastures, roadsides, fence rowsand woods are the preferred habitat.Nesting: The nest is constructed one to four feet above ground in a shruband usually contains four eggs.Fall Migration: Fall migration starts in August.

common yellowthroatGeothlypis trichas

Size: 5.0”Identifying Features: The male has a black mask, yellow throat and yel-low breast. The female is olive-brown above with a yellow throat andbreast, yellow under the tail and no mask.Illinois Range: The common yellowthroat is a very common migrantand summer resident statewide. It occasionally winters in Illinois, too.Winter Range: The species winters in the southern United States throughCentral America and the West Indies. It may winter in Illinois, too. Migrantsbegin arriving in Illinois by mid-April.Illinois Habitat: They live in swamps, bottomland forests, brushy areasand fence rows.Nesting: The nest is built near ground level in vegetation and typicallycontains three to five eggs. One brood is raised per year.Fall Migration: Fall migration starts in September.

hooded warblerSetophaga citrina

Size: 5.5”Identifying Features: The hooded warbler is olive-yellow with whitespots on the tail. The male has black on his head and neck that forms a“hood” on the yellow face and forehead. Black markings are absent on thefemale. The bird flicks its tail open and shut repeatedly.Illinois Range: This species is an uncommon to rare migrant andstatewide summer resident.Winter Range: These birds winter from Mexico to Panama. Spring mi-grants arrive in March.Illinois Habitat: The hooded warbler lives in mature bottomland woodsand swamps. It is a forest interior species.Nesting: Nesting occurs from May through July. The nest is built in a smallshrub and usually contains a clutch of three to four eggs. One brood peryear is raised.Fall Migration: Fall migration begins in August.

Kentucky warblerGeothlypis formosa

Size: 5.5”Identifying Features: The Kentucky warbler has a yellow belly and agray-green back. A black line in front of the eye continues behind the eyeto form “sideburns.” A yellow line in front of each eye circles the eye. Themale and female are similar in appearance.Illinois Range: This species is a common migrant statewide and a sum-mer resident in the southern two-thirds of the state.Winter Range: These birds winter from Mexico to northern South Amer-ica. Spring migrants begin arriving in April, and they migrate at night.Illinois Habitat: This species lives in the interior of forests, especially inravines.Nesting: Nesting occurs from May through July. The nest is placed on ornear the ground. A clutch contains four to five eggs, and one brood israised per year.Fall Migration: Fall migration begins in August.

Louisiana waterthrush Parkesia motacilla

Size: 6.0”Identifying Features: Its coloration includes a brown back, white un-derside and throat, white eyebrow stripe over each eye, stripes on the un-derside but not the throat, pink-brown rear underside and pink legs. Itbobs its head and tail as it walks.Illinois Range: A common migrant statewide, the Louisiana waterthrushis also a summer resident in Illinois, although it is less common in northernIllinois than in the rest of the state.Winter Range: This species winters in the West Indies and Mexico souththrough northern South America. Spring migrants begin arriving in Illinoisin late March.Illinois Habitat: These birds live in forested ravines, along small streamsand in forests associated with swamps.Nesting: The nest is placed in a hole in a stream bank or in exposed rootsclose to water and is vulnerable to flooding. A typical clutch contains fiveeggs. One brood per year is raised.Fall Migration: Fall migration starts in late August.

northern parulaSetophaga americana

Size: 4.5”Identifying Features: Two white bars per wing, blue-gray back and tail,dark breast band, green patch on the back and white arcs above and beloweach eye that do not touch are characteristics of the male. The female issimilar in coloration, although paler, and lacks the breast band. Illinois Range: The northern parula is a common migrant statewide anda common summer resident in southern Illinois, with decreasing occurrencenorthward in the state.Winter Range: These birds winter in the southern United States, WestIndies, Mexico and Central America. Spring migrants arrive in Illinois in April.Illinois Habitat: This bird is a resident of bottomland forests, swampsand streams in upland ravines.Nesting: It nests from 10 to 40 feet above ground in a tree growing nearwater. A typical clutch contains four to five eggs.Fall Migration: Fall migrants start leaving in September.

ovenbird Seiurus aurocapilla

Size: 5.5-6.5” Identifying Features: The light orange patch on the top of the head isa distinctive feature of the ovenbird. The feather coloration is brown abovewith a striped belly.Illinois Range: This species is a common migrant and a locally uncom-mon summer resident statewide.Winter Range: These birds winter from the southern United States to Cen-tral America and the West Indies. Spring migrants start arriving in late April.Illinois Habitat: This bird requires large expanses of mature deciduousforest. The ovenbird stays on or near the ground when foraging, walkingthrough leaf litter.Nesting: This species nests on the forest floor and is called “ovenbird”because the dome-shaped appearance of the nest resembles a Dutch oven.A typical clutch contains four or five eggs with one brood per year.Fall Migration: Fall migrants start to leave in late August.

pine warblerSetophaga pinus

Size: 5.0-5.5”Identifying Features: Two white wing bars, a dark cheek, pale stripeson the sides of the breast and white tail spots are common to males andfemales of this species. The male also has a yellow breast and olive-greenback. The female is duller with green-brown coloration on the back.Illinois Range: The pine warbler is an uncommon migrant, uncommonsummer resident in southern Illinois and very rare winter resident in thestate. It is unusual for a warbler in that it often eats seeds as well as insectsand that is why this species can overwinter in the state.Winter Range: These birds winter in the southern United States. Springmigrants begin returning in late March.Illinois Habitat: This bird’s preferred habitat includes pine or mixedconifer-pine woods, where it forages in the upper regions of the trees.Nesting: It nests from eight to 80 feet above ground in a pine tree. Aclutch usually contains four eggs.Fall Migration: Fall migrants begin leaving in September.

prairie warbler Setophaga discolor

Size: 5.0”Identifying Features: This bird bobs its tail. Both male and female areyellow on the belly with dark stripes on the sides and a black mark throughthe eye. The back is green-brown. The male has a prominent dark markbelow the eye. It is present but much smaller and lighter in the female.Illinois Range: It is a common migrant and summer resident in southernIllinois, with populations decreasing northward in the state.Winter Range: These birds winter in the southern United States and theWest Indies. Spring migrants begin arriving in April.Illinois Habitat: The prairie warbler is a bird of brushy areas, roadsides,abandoned fields and Christmas tree farms.Nesting: The nest is placed one to 10 feet above ground in a small treeor shrub. A clutch typically contains four eggs, with one brood per year.Fall Migration: Fall migration starts in August.

prothonotary warblerProtonotaria citrea

Size: 5.0-5.5”Identifying Features: Both sexes have blue-gray wings with no whitemarkings, a gray tail and a white circle around each eye. The male has abright golden-yellow head and chest. The female has a similar color patternbut is duller.Illinois Range: Prothonotary warblers are common in the southern halfof the state, decreasing northward, and are common migrants statewide.Winter Range: This species winters from Mexico to northern SouthAmerica. Spring migrants begin arriving in Illinois in April.Illinois Habitat: Prothonotary warblers are common in the southern halfof the state, decreasing northward, and are common migrants statewide.Nesting: Nesting occurs from May through June, and the nest is constructedin a tree hole, a nest box or under a bridge. Four to six eggs comprise atypical clutch.Fall Migration: Fall migration begins in August.

Swainson’s warblerLimnothlypis swainsonii

Size: 5.0”Identifying Features: The male and female Swainson’s warbler have thesame appearance. The back is green-brown. The belly is white. There is abrown cap on the head with a white eyebrow stripe below it. Illinois Range: Swainson’s warbler is a very rare migrant statewide anda very rare summer resident in southern Illinois.Winter Range: These birds winter in Cuba, Jamaica, Mexico and CentralAmerica and return to Illinois in April.Illinois Habitat: Its habitat consists of large contiguous forested areaswith 80 percent or more canopy closure and an understory of giant cane(Arundinaria gigantea). Nesting: Its nest is built in shrubs, dense cane, small trees or vines, twoto 10 feet above ground and usually near open water. A clutch generallycontains three eggs. It is the only warbler species in Illinois to lay plainwhite eggs.Fall Migration: Fall migrants begin leaving in August.

worm-eating warbler Helmitheros vermivorum

Size: 5.0-5.5”Identifying Features: The worm-eating warbler is dull olive-green withblack stripes on a buff head and a brown breast.Illinois Range: It is a common migrant statewide. In summer, it is com-mon in southern Illinois, uncommon in central Illinois and rare in northernIllinois.Winter Range: These birds winter in the West Indies and Central Americaand return to Illinois in April.Illinois Habitat: The preferred habitat is extensive, mature forest with drywooded slopes and a shrubby understory. It feeds on or near the ground.Nesting: The nest is built on the ground and typically contains three tosix eggs.Fall Migration: Fall migration begins in September.

yellow warbler Setophaga petechia

Size: 4.5-5.0”Identifying Features: Male and female yellow warblers have a yellowbody, head, eye ring, belly and spots on the black tail. The male only hasred-brown streaks on the chest.Illinois Range: This species is a common migrant and summer residentstatewide.Winter Range: These birds winter mainly in Mexico, Central Americaand the West Indies, returning to Illinois in late April.Illinois Habitat: These birds live along streams and rivers, in woodlands,in parks and in other wooded areas.Nesting: Nesting occurs from May through June with four to five eggsper clutch. The nest is placed in a low, shrubby tree.Fall Migration: Fall migration begins in July.

yellow-breasted chat Icteria virens

Size: 7.0”Identifying Features: The throat and breast are yellow. The head, backand tail are green-brown. There is a white patch between the front of theeye and the back of the bill.Illinois Range: This species is a common migrant and summer residentin southern Illinois. It can be found in the rest of Illinois but not as fre-quently as in southern Illinois. Winter Range: These birds winter from the southern United States toPanama. Spring migrants begin arriving in April.Illinois Habitat: The yellow-breasted chat lives in thickets, edges andbrushy areas, especially along streams, where it can often be heard singingat night.Nesting: Nesting occurs from May through July with three to four eggsper clutch. The nest is built in a thicket or brushy area at ground level ora few feet above ground.Fall Migration: Fall migration starts in September.

yellow-throated warbler Setophaga dominica

Size: 5.5”Identifying Features: The male and female yellow-throated warblers aresimilar in appearance. The bird has a gray back, yellow throat, dark patchunder the eye, stripes on the side and two white bars per wing.Illinois Range: This species is a common migrant and summer residentin the southern part of the state becoming less common northward.Winter Range: These birds winter in the southern United States, WestIndies, Mexico and Central America and arrive in Illinois in April.Illinois Habitat: These birds live in pine-oak woodlands, river corridorsand swamps and forage in tree tops.Nesting: The nest is built high in a sycamore or pine tree, and a clutchusually contains four eggs.Fall Migration: Fall migration begins in August.

Taking ActionThe following ideas are practical steps that you can take to helpconserve migratory bird species.

n Participate in International Migratory Bird Day, held on thesecond Saturday in May, to educate others about migratory birds.

n Write to state and national elected representatives to voiceyour concern over the plight of migratory birds.

n Contact local environmental organizations or chapters of nationalorganizations, such as the Illinois Audubon Society, to find outwhat they are doing about the issue.

n Contact local representatives and parks personnel to learn aboutlocal land-use issues. Find out how you can learn about impor-tant local hearings, to provide public input on land-use decisions.

n Conduct a school- or district-wide “Migratory Bird Day” toeducate others in your school district about birds.

n Take field trips to observe birds and contribute observationsabout bird populations to bird censuses or counts.

n Plant native trees in appropriate places to increase bird habitat.

n Take steps to reduce, reuse and recycle paper.

n Plant a butterfly garden to provide habitat that supports insectsthat birds feed on.

n Donate money to land preservation efforts.

n Educate others about the dangers to birds from feral cats.

n Leave snags and fallen trees in wood lots to provide habitat forbirds and the insects they feed upon.

Wood-warblers are migratory birds. They move seasonally between temperateregions of the Americas, where they breed, and tropical areas, where theyspend the winter. The main reasons for this migration are that the insectsthey feed on cannot be found in great enough quantities for survival duringthe winter in the northern lands and that the amount of daylight in thisseason does not allow them time to forage enough daily to survive. Theyreturn to the northern regions annually for the large spaces and amplefood supplies they require for nesting territories.

Wood-warblers depend on forests. Forests in both temperate and tropicalclimates have been greatly reduced and altered from their natural state.Forest fragmentation results when forests are cleared by humans and re-duced to small, isolated woodlots (fragments). Birds that require large tractsof contiguous forests may be unable to find suitable habitat to survive.Small woodlots allow many predators and nest parasites to have access toforest-interior bird species. In addition, much of this land is converted tolong-term projects such as urban development, subdivisions, farms or otheruses. Forest fragmentation and clearing also occur in the tropics as morespace is needed for homes, agriculture and development. Loss of habitatalong the migratory route can prohibit birds from obtaining the food andrest they need.

Pesticides and pollution can affect wood-warblers and their food sources.Many natural and humanmade obstacles cause problems for these birdsduring migration. Storms and strong winds can blow birds off course orprovide headwinds that slow progress.

As of 2010, the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board lists one wood-warbler species as endangered in the state and one species as threatened.

Endangered: Swainson’s warbler (Limnothlypis swainsonii) has alwaysbeen uncommon in the state and is now extremely rare. Preservation oflarge tracts of bottomland forest and dense cane stands are critical for itssurvival in Illinois.

Threatened: The cerulean warbler (Setophaga cerulea) prefers to live inforests of more than 1,000 acres in size and is rarely found in forestssmaller than 200 acres. This species was once abundant in the state, but lossof large tracts of forested habitat has been detrimental to it. Conservationactions needed to help preserve this species in Illinois include protectionof mature deciduous forest, especially along streams, long-term timbermanagement and maintenance of favored tree species, including oaks,sycamores, elms and chestnuts.

Birds and people both depend upon forest resources. In order to conservewood-warbler populations, land use decisions regarding forests must takeinto account the impacts of those uses on people, birds and the forest.Migratory birds are a shared international resource. Their population declinesillustrate the global effects of human actions.

Conservation

Equal opportunity to participate in programs of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and those funded by the U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service and other agencies is available to all individuals regardless of race, sex, national origin, disability, age,religion or other non-merit factors. If you believe you have been discriminated against, contact the funding source’s civil rights officeand/or the Equal Employment Opportunity Officer, IDNR, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271; 217-785-0067;TTY 217/782-9175. This information may be provided in an alternative format if required. Contact the DNR Clearinghouse at217/782-7498 for assistance.

Printed by the Authority of the State of Illinois.XXM – 9/11 • IOCI 12-0181

Illinois Birds: Volume 2 - Wood-warblers © 2011, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Springfield, Illinois