Total Eclipse of the Sun 8 April 2024

New Brunswick was in the path of a total eclipse of the sun on 8 April 2024.  Fredericton was on that path that ran southwest to northeast.  The day was bright and sunny with almost clear skies in the Fredericton area.  The temperature was 17ºC with light winds at 19 km/h.   The humidity was 19%.  A perfect day for viewing an eclipse!

Our house was in the path of the total eclipse so we were able to view it from our deck.  We had the cardboard viewing glasses which had been generously handed out to us in the weeks prior to the event.  The sun was so intense we were somewhat afraid to use them.  We tried a welding helmet but it did not give enough protection.  We had read beforehand that welding protection varied and only ones with a high level of protection were safe.  

What to do?  We set up a telescope, cut a circle out of cardboard and mounted it over the objective end and secured it with tape.  This created a shadow on the viewing area making the image better for viewing.  A white sheet of paper was mounted to a board which was held 6 to 12 inches from the ocular end of the scope and the image of the eclipse was projected onto the white sheet.  The way our deck is located we could stand in the shade and the scope could be directed at the sun, making our stance for the event much more comfortable.  It was difficult to locate the sun in the scope and get the image on the board because the sun was so intense and lining it was up was difficult.  When we succeeded it was amazing how good the image was.  This, however, was compounded by the movement of the sun.  We had to relocate the telescope almost every time I wanted to take a photograph.  I tried my iPhone at first to photograph the image but found that my Nikon P900 worked best.  Below are some of the photographs showing the approach of the moon to totality. 

Below are photographs showing totality.

And, below are photographs of the eclipse as the moon moves away from totality.

It was very interesting to observe nature as the eclipse took place.  It got much colder, much like what one would experience at twilight.  We started at 17ºC, one of our warmest days yet this spring.  As we got closer to totality, we had to put on a fleecy or jacket to be comfortable.  As totality was approaching, and to nature it appeared that twilight was approaching, the birds got excited.  The geese kept standing on the floodplain below us and appeared on high alert honking to one another.  The Redwings and Grackles gathered in the trees along the shoreline and were very vocal.  They appeared to be calling their flock together.  Soon they departed presumably for their nocturnal roosting site.  The woodpeckers and finches came to the feeder for their 'before bed' snacks.  The waterfowl left the river probably to go to their safe overnight areas.  As the darkness approached and thickened all became quiet, eerily quiet.  And, it was only about 4:30 PM.  

When the eclipse was total we were able to look at it with naked eyes and I was able to photograph it directly.  It surprised me (although it should not have) how short the totality was.  As the moon moved past the sun things slowly brightened up and warmed up just like at dawn.  The colours of the landscape were magnificent, yellows, oranges, peaches, moving to purples, dark greens and blues to darkness and then back to yellows, etc. as 'dawn' came and it soon became day again, not a new day but the same day.  At that point life returned to normal with traffic, the sounds of human activity.  

What about the birds?  The birds resumed activity only in a minor way.  The flocks of blackbirds, finches and waterfowl did not return.  Only a few birds returned to the feeder and yard.  As the day ended and 'normal' darkness fell upon us, I saw our resident Great Horned Owl perched in a tree by the river.  Only his silhouette was discernible but I could see the identifying ear tufts.  The second end to a wonderful day.

Common Snapping Turtle

 Common Snapping Turtle Hatchling

The Common Snapping Turtle hatchling shown in the photo above was found on 10 July 2023 in New Brunswick on the portage between the Musquash watershed and the southern part of Loch Alva. I was participating in the 2023 Biota conducted by the New Brunswick Museum and we were hiking out after a full day of botany survey around Loch Alva. The area was sandy and gravelly and on the trail was a large puddle about 6 inches (15 cm) deep. As I stepped over it I noticed dark creatures moving in the water that turned out to be two Common Snapping Turtle hatchlings. They may have been confused, thinking they had found the lake. After photographing one I returned it to the puddle with its hatch mate, hoping they would eventually find their way to the lake. 

In the photos above and below, notice the dark black colour of the head and legs, the pointed snout and the closeness of the eyes to the snout. The carapace was soft and showed smears of mud. The turtle was about 4 to 5 inches long although I did not actually measure it. The other hatchling looked the same and also appeared lively.

 Common Snapping Turtle Hatchling

These hatchlings undoubtedly hatched shortly before we found them from a nest buried in a sandy bank nearby. See the photo below of an adult female who buried herself in a sand bank and was laying her eggs.  (The photos below are of a nesting area on the shores of Grand Lake.)

  Common Snapping Turtle Female Laying Eggs

About 20 to 40 eggs are laid by the female who carefully buries them in the warm sand before leaving to resume her normal activities in the pond. The eggs are round and about the size of pingpong balls. The shells are bluish white in colour and are leathery. See the photo below of a nest of a Common Snapping Turtle showing eggs.

  Common Snapping Turtle Eggs in Nest

The photo below shows a sand dune along the shores of Grand Lake, NB, and you can see adult female turtles active at their nesting area. I visited this area and you could see some laying and some moving about the surface. Unfortunately there were several nests that had been predated, probably by raccoons. There were empty egg shells scattered about.

 Common Snapping Turtles on Nesting Ground

The warmth of the sand on these exposed banks causes the eggs to hatch. The female usually lays the eggs in May and June. The time it takes depends on the temperature and humidity. It can take as much as 60 to 90 days to hatch. In our example above, it obviously took less time than that. 

Let’s backtrack now to the general life history of the Common Snapping Turtle. That will bring us up to the finding of hatchlings on their way to the mother pond. 

The Common Snapping Turtle is a species of freshwater turtle in the family of Chelydridae. It is found in New Brunswick and is our largest land turtle.  Sea turtles can be much larger. The species range extends from southern Alberta east to Nova Scotia and south to the Gulf of Mexico and into central Texas. These turtles are found in permanent fresh water ponds, lakes and rivers. 

 Adult Common Snapping Turtle  [Internet Photo]

What does this special turtle look like? See the internet photo above which shows an adult. Actually if you meet an adult in real life, it will look more ferocious than this! The Snapping Turtle can be large. The carapace (shell) of adults can grow up to 14 inches long (20-36 cm) and they can weigh up to 35 lbs (16 kg). Males can be larger than females. The carapace is well armoured and shows a sharply toothed rear edge. Good identifying features are the small plastron (underneath part of the carapace), the pointed snout and the spikes on the tail. The colour varies from dark brown, tan, gray to almost black. 

I once visited a pond in New York State where a friend caught a very large Snapping Turtle. It weighed at least 30 lbs and had a carapace at least 12 inches long. When you add the head and tail to the measurement, you are seeing a very big turtle!

Common Snapping Turtles can live to be 50 to 100 years old! Studies have shown that they often return to the same nesting area each year. Adults do not breed until they are about 20 years old. That leaves a long time for young turtles to live and move around their habitat before they can reproduce. In winter they hibernate on the bottom of ponds.

What do they eat? Their diet is diverse. They consume carrion, aquatic invertebrates, small vertebrates and aquatic plants. They will take fish, small waterfowl, and frogs.

So, is their population stable? Well, they are declining. Being our ‘toughest’ turtle that is a little surprising. One cause is predation at the nest on the eggs as described above and some mortality of hatchlings as they make their way to the pond. If we had been a coyote or fox when we found the two hatchlings in the puddle, they certainly would not have made it. Mortality of adults in their water habitat is fairly small. They have no predators. Some mortality is caused by fishers who mistakenly catch them in their nets and on lines. Please carefully remove the turtles and safely return them to the water. 

What causes the most mortality? During breeding season, turtles are on the move. This brings adults out of their water habitats and onto roads, trails, agricultural areas, etc. They are seeking exposed sandy areas in which to make their nests. Shoulders of roads, bridges, and railways make good nesting areas in their eyes. Here humans cause the most significant mortality of this species. Many adults get killed by motor vehicles and agricultural machinery each year. I suspect most of us have seen turtles on the road in the late spring and early summer. I certainly have. One example was a dead Snapping Turtle on Highway 3 near Lawrence Station. It had left the Magaguadavic watershed to find a sandy nesting area. With increased 4-wheeler traffic in our wilderness areas, human-caused mortality will only increase. Other enemies of this species are foxes, coyotes, skunks, minks, fishers, raccoons, crows, herons, hawks, owls, bullfrogs, fish and snakes.

What do you do if you find a Snapping Turtle on the roadway or trail or in danger in some other place? It is not wise to try to pick it up without knowing that they can inflict a severe bite. A large Snapper is capable of biting off a finger. Leather gloves would be a definite asset. The experts advise to not try to push or scoot the turtle across the pavement of the roadway. That would cause abrasion wounds on their tender underside. Large specimens can be ‘wheel barrowed’ across the road. You can safely raise the turtle by its tail end and walk it on its front feet off the road. Carefully place your hands on each side of the tail and grab the carapace and gently lift it up so its hind legs are free and it will walk along on its front feet. I haven’t done this but apparently it works!.  Do not place your hands farther forward than this because the turtle can reach you with its mouth!   Take it to the area to which it was headed. 

The biggest cause of mortality of this species is human influence. We can do our part by saving any individuals we find in dangerous circumstances. Knowing that it takes many years before this species can even reproduce and the one you find has probably survived many dangers already, it behooves us to be diligent about saving and protecting it. Let’s be good citizens and protect all members of our wild fauna.  Let's give that Snapper a chance to reach 100 years!

[All photos in this post were taken by B. Schneider except the one mentioned as from the Internet]. 

Yellow-throated Warbler on Christmas Bird Count

                                                        Yellow-throated Warbler  [Bev Schneider Photo]

On the Mactaquac Christmas Bird Count held on January 1, 2024 a Yellow-throated Warbler,  Setophaga dominica, was recorded.  There was open water on the St. John River at that time in the Keswick area and I asked permission to pass through a friend’s property to get a good view of the open water.  When returning to my car I stopped to chat and as I was about to leave she mentioned a little bird that had been coming to her feeder for about 2 weeks.  She did not know what it was but sent me a photo later in the day — a Yellow-throated Warbler.  I watched the feeder the next day and confirmed the identification.  See the photo above for the Yellow-throated Warbler feeding on suet.  There were many feeders in the area and the bird much preferred suet and at that particular feeder.

For a complete life history of this species and the likelihood of its occurring here in New Brunswick, please search this blog for, 'Yellow-throated Warbler'.  

                                                Yellow-throated Warbler  [Internet Photo]

The Yellow-throated Warbler breeds normally in the southeastern United States where it is fairly common.  Here it is rare but in late years we find one or two in the late fall or winter.  Last winter (2022-2023) I recorded one in the same count circle (Mactaquac) although it was found at a feeder across the river in the Kingsclear area. 

                                                    Yellow-throated Warbler  [Bev Schneider Photo]

On its breeding grounds the behaviour of the Yellow-throated Warbler is interesting.  Unfortunately we don’t get to see this because this species is rarely here in summer.  It feeds from the bottom of the tree upward and likes to bury itself in the dense foliage.  It loves treetops and often sings from there.  It buries itself in cone and leaf tangles and periodically shows itself.  This and the fact that it is usually at the tops of the trees makes it difficult to see.  On the breeding grounds it shares this habit with the Pine Warbler and has to be distinguished from it when one catches a quick view of the bird.  The Yellow-throated Warbler is a methodical feeder hopping along tree limbs, hanging upside down, probing with its long bill into cones and leaves and sometimes clings to the tree trunk.  If a cluster is hard to reach it will hover near it to feed.  

The song is described as 'simple and sweet’.  It is easy to remember.  It is loud and melodic starting with a series of tee tee tee … and ends with a too too sweet.  I have heard its song in South Carolina where it was on its breeding territory but never here in NB.  

The Yellow-throated Warbler should be spending its winter in the area from South Carolina southward, with the majority of them in eastern Mexico and the Caribbean.  This species is described as a harbinger of spring.  Wouldn’t it be nice to be waiting for early Yellow-throated Warblers to arrive?  In the southern part of its range they arrive in early March.  In the northern part they arrive in April.  

I think New Brunswick has had at least two Yellow-throated Warblers this winter.  It appears that we are seeing more of them in late years, although the numbers are very low.  Perhaps this species is expanding its range as a result of habitat loss or global warming.  The individual we found this year is alive and doing well so far.   

Bohemian Waxwings - a Huge Flock

 On Saturday, January 20, 2023, a friend and I were birding the Fredericton area.  After visiting a very productive feeder area we visited the Mactaquac Dam, then the lagoons and water treatment plant.  While driving through downtown Fredericton we were watching for waxwings but were unsuccessful.  We finished our outing at the Agricultural Experimental Farm and then I received an email with a movie attached.  Waxwings!  Many, many waxwings!  

                                                                Bohemian Waxwings

Bohemian Waxwings are winter visitors that travel around our area in small to large flocks feasting on fruits usually still on the trees and bushes, apples, crab apples, cherries, cranberries, wild grapes, etc.   It is obvious when a flock is near because you can hear their cheerful voices as they feed.  They make a high trilling zeee.  With many birds singing at once it makes a beautiful sound.  So far this year I have seen a flock of 40 individuals and have received a report of 100 here in Douglas.  But that is nothing compared to what I am about to show you!  The following video was recorded by a veterinarian friend who was attracted to the beautiful singing and the size of the flock which was feeding near York Street on January 20.  I don't know how we missed them.

       Bohemian Waxwing Flock  [Video by Dr. Krista Foreman]

It is common for Bohemian Waxwings to winter in flocks.  There must be advantages to the birds to remain in flocks, probably for safety and finding food.  Presumably the flocks have a hierarchy with some watching for predators and some with the experience to locate food sources.  The amazing thing about this flock is its size.  At first I estimated 400-500 birds but that was very inaccurate.  I stopped the video and roughly counted the birds in patches and came up with over 1400 birds!  That is a huge flock!  I have never seen a flock of Bohemian Waxwings that large.  It must make finding enough food for all a very difficult task.  What it would certainly do is remove all the food from that particular area before the flock left.  See below a photo of an area where a different flock of Bohemians were feeding and notice all the fragments of fruit on the ground, dropped by the feeding birds.

                                                    Bohemian Waxwings Feeding on Apples

The red 'appendages' on the wing feathers of Bohemian Waxwings look like wax and give the group its name.  These scarlet red and yellow appendages are located on the tips of the secondary wing feathers.  They are flattened ends of the feather shafts and are pigmented with astaxanthin and enclosed in a transparent sheath.  They don't usually appear on the adult bird until it is 3 years old.  They certainly are pretty and unique.  See a closeup of the waxy appendages in the photo below.

                                    Bohemian Waxwing Showing Wax Appendages on Wing 

For information on the life history of Bohemian Waxwings and other information, please search this blog for more posts using 'Bohemian Waxwing' as your search item.

Townsend's Warbler

                                            Townsend's Warbler   [Jim Carroll Photo]

A Townsend's Warbler (Setophaga townsendi) has recently caused much excitement among New Brunswick birders with its discovery at Waterfowl Lane, Sackville in late December.  It stayed into early January allowing many interested birders to see and photograph it.  Being a western warbler species, we do not usually get to see it.  The species has been seen twice before in the province, both in 2005.  One appeared in Fundy National Park from November 4-11 and one at Quispamsis from November 27 to December 11.  I was fortunate to see the one at Fundy National Park on November 5.  It was on a steep hillside along the road just past the Welcome Centre feeding actively in bushes. 

Townsend's Warbler  [Marbeth Wilson Photo]

The Townsend's Warbler is a western North American warbler species.  It is fairly common in the coniferous forests of the Pacific Northwest.  It breeds from Washington State and Oregon north to southern Alaska and Yukon Territory and east to southern Alberta.  It is a medium-to-long distance migrant and winters normally in the extreme western parts of Washington State, Oregon and California and inland areas of central Mexico.  This species prefers coniferous forest habitats for most of the year but can be found in lowlands in summer. 

The Townsend's Warbler was first described in 1837 by John Kirk Townsend, an American naturalist.  It was first called Sylvia townsendi but due to changes in taxonomy it was renamed, Setophaga.  It is from John Townsend that it gets its name.  

The Townsend's Warbler much prefers the tops of the large conifers of the west.  For that reason it can be difficult to see.  It finds lots of its usual diet of insects and spiders there.  As described by Taylor and Shaw (1927):  "On entering the great forest of the Pacific Northwest with its solitude, the deep-shaded grandeur of its brown-barked pillars and its stillness, one can almost imagine himself in a different world.  Incessantly repeated apparently from the very crowns of the trees, comes the song of the Townsend (sic) warbler, denizen of upper foliage strata."

                                        Townsend's Warbler  [Rosemonde Duguay Photo]

The Townsend's Warbler is a boldly patterned warbler.  It is closely related to the Black-throated Green Warbler which is common in New Brunswick.  It is the same size as this warbler (13 cm)  but differs in pattern.  In general, the Townsend's Warbler has dark cheek patches (auriculars)  surrounded by yellow, yellow on the breast, extensive white on the outer tail feathers, and two bold white wing bars.  The male shows a black cheek patch surrounded by yellow with a yellow crescent below the eye.  It has a black crown and an olive-green streaked back.  It shows a bold black chin and throat and broad stripes on its sides.  The belly and undertail coverts are white.  The adult female is more subdued with an olive-green crown and cheek patches, a yellow chin and throat with a bit of black showing, and the side streaks are narrow.  The plumages fade somewhat in winter plumage.  Immature birds are similar to females.  

The Townsend's Warbler will hybridize with the Hermit Warbler and the Black-throated Green Warbler where their ranges overlap.  Although there is some regularity in the plumage of these hybrids it would be left to the experts to identify these individuals.

                                            Townsend's Warbler  [Jim Carroll Photo]

The photos above show the olive green auricular, yellow breast, side streaking, yellow crescent under the eye, white vent and outer tail feathers.  The side streaking is fairly bold so this may be a winter-plumaged adult male.

Here in New Brunswick the Townsend's Warbler must be differentiated from the Black-throated Green Warbler.  The Black-throated Green Warbler does not have the dark auriculars nor the yellow throat and breast.  It also has a yellow vent and not the white vent of the Townsend's Warbler.  The immature female Blackburnian Warbler is also similar but shows less green and more streaking on the back.  It shows no black or streaking on the throat.   In the west the Townsend's Warbler must be separated from the Hermit Warbler where the Townsend's Warbler has streaked flanks and well defined cheek patches.

The Townsend's Warbler places its nest on top of a branch of a conifer tree in a well concealed location.  It is a shallow nest, made of grass and lined with moss.  Four to 5 brown-speckled white eggs are laid and incubated for 12 days by the female.

The Townsend's Warbler begins to sing before it leaves its winter range.  It must love to sing because it has been described as 'singing to itself' as it moves around gleaning insects from the foliage.  The voice has been described as variable and buzzy and is represented as weazy weazy weazy dzee.  Its call note is a sharp tsik. I imagine the call of this species is very familiar to the people of the west who enjoy hiking in the forest.  The voice changes somewhat later in the season.  In the west one would have to distinguish its voice from that of the Black-throated Gray Warbler.

We are blessed to have rare avian species show up periodically in New Brunswick.  It is interesting and broadens the knowledge of our naturalists.

                                                Townsend's Warbler  [Jim Carroll Photo]

Clay-colored Sparrow

                                                Clay-colored Sparrow   [Marbeth Wilson Photo]

The Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida) was listed in 2004 as a very rare visitor from spring through fall and casual in winter.  It was first confirmed from Grand Manan in September, 1973.  It was found almost annually in the fall after that (Birds or New Brunswick:  An Annotated List. 2004).  This species has been seen more regularly since 2004.  It is not unusual at all to see it in all seasons.  To my knowledge we have not yet had a breeding record but according to the above reference, males have been found on territory in June and July in old fields in various locations about the province.  

The Clay-colored Sparrow is a small, slim sparrow with a long, notched tail, unstreaked breast, buffy brown ear coverts, a broad white supercilium and a whitish median crown stripe.  Before this past year the only other sparrow species we had to differentiate it from was the winter and juvenile Chipping Sparrow.  Chipping Sparrows are darker on the back with chestnut tones rather than buff and tan.  The Chipping Sparrow's face is more strongly marked with a dark line that extends from the eye to the beak.  The Chipping Sparrow does not usually have the white supercilium  and the moustachial line of the Clay-colored Sparrow.  The breast of the Chipping Sparrow is usually gray and not buff as in the Clay-colored.  For a quick reference in the field, look for the presence or absence of the dark line from the eye to the bill.  

Since 2023 we now have to distinguish the Clay-colored Sparrow from the Brewer's Sparrow.  The Brewer's Sparrow that showed up at a feeder in Quispamsis gave us a lesson in distinguishing the two species, a difficult lesson it was.  The Brewer's Sparrow is very similar to the Clay-colored Sparrow but can be differentiated by the Clay-colored showing a white central crown stripe, a gray nape, and distinct dark borders to its cheek patches as well as dark whiskers.  We will leave the rest to the experts!

Given that the Clay-colored Sparrow hybridizes with the Chipping and Brewer's Sparrows, identification could be difficult.  Presumably, however, this would be a rare occurrence.

                                             Clay-colored Sparrow   [Marbeth Wilson Photo]

The Clay-colored Sparrow is 12-14 cm long, the same size approximately as the Chipping Sparrow.  The ones I have seen have been in the fall and their plumage looks very faded.  Note all the gray, buff and light brown in the plumage.  The way I have found the ones I have been lucky enough to see is by their song.  It is a series of 2 to 8 short, low-pitched loud buzzes.  They remind you of a loud insect, buzz buzz buzz.  If you hear a buzzing sound that seems to be a bird, take special care to find it because it is likely to be rare.  

Clay-colored Sparrows prefer uncultivated, bushy areas with bushes interspersed with grassy areas.  The breeding range of this species includes most of northern US and all of Canada east of the Rockies to the St. Lawrence River, north to northern Ontario, the northern prairies, and into Yukon and Northwest Territories.  In the fall they migrate in flocks to southern Texas and Mexico.

During breeding season the males are persistent singers and even sing at night.  The nest is built in a bush or clump of weeds up to 2 m. off the ground.  Three to five blue-green eggs are laid in a cup-shaped nest built from hair and fine grasses.  Incubation lasts 10-12 days and the male assists the female in this duty.  The diet of Clay-colored Sparrows is seeds and insects which they forage from the ground and low trees.  

The ploughing of prairie land has diminished the population of Clay-colored Sparrows.  The species has, however, extended its range to the northeast.  That may be what we are seeing or we are seeing the effects of global warming with more records of this species being seen in NB.  According to a scientific model devised by Audubon scientists, global warming will have dire effects on Clay-colored Sparrows (and many other species).  A 1.5ºC increase will decrease the Clay-colored Sparrow habitat collectively by 14%; a 2ºC increase will cause a 25% habitat loss and a 3ºC increase will cause a 51% habitat loss.  Wow, we have a lot of trouble looming on the horizon!

I am happy we can occasionally see a Clay-colored Sparrow in NB.  With diligence in summer or with success at feeders in late fall or winter, we can add this beautiful species to our lists.  It is not enough to just admire and list this species.  We need to be advocates against global warming and severe ecological changes so our vulnerable birds can survive.

Tennessee Warbler

                                                    Tennessee Warbler Male  [Internet Photo]

The Tennessee Warbler, Leiothlypis peregrina, is a common summer resident and migrant in New Brunswick.  It is an indicator species for spruce budworm since it feeds heavily on forest insects.  In past years during our budworm outbreaks it was very common here.  Although not in such high numbers it is still found here during its breeding season and those that breed north of here pass through during migration.

The Tennessee Warbler is rather inconspicuous compared to some of our other common warbler species in breeding plumage.  It shows no brilliant oranges, blacks or reds.  It is, however, a very beautiful, sleek warbler.  It is small (12 cm), sharp-billed, short-tailed, and has a long wing primary projection.  Of special note for identification is its lack of streaking on the breast and flanks, the prominent supercilium and white undertail coverts.  Occasionally the undertail coverts can be tinged with yellow but they are still whiter than the breast.

The male in breeding plumage is shown above.  It has bright yellow-green upperparts with a greyish crown and nape.  Note the white supercilium and black eye stripe.  The underparts are white including the undertail coverts. 

The breeding female plumage shows a more yellowish wash over most of the bird.  This makes her appear duller and the crown and nape are not as contrasting.  The yellow shows on the breast and flanks but the undertail coverts are still white.  The supercilium is often yellow and the black eyeline is still prominent.

Warblers can often be difficult to distinguish from one another.  Tennessee warblers can be confused with some vireos, especially Philadelphia and Warbling vireos.  These can be differentiated by their thicker bills which have a hook on the end.  Fall individuals can be confused with Orange-crowned warblers.  Tennessee warblers usually migrate earlier from our area so the date can help in identification.  The best way to tell one from the other is to check the head pattern, the underparts and the shape.  

The fall Tennessee warbler shows a long whitish or yellowish supercilium with a dusky eyeline.  The Orange-crowned shows a short indistinct yellowish supercilium and a narrow whitish or yellowish split eyering.  Regarding the underparts, the Tennessee warbler is dull whitish or yellowish and unstreaked with white undertail coverts.  The Orange-crowned has dull yellowish underparts and sometimes shows faint olive streaks.  It shows bright yellow undertail coverts which are always brighter than the rest of the underparts.  The Tennessee has a shorter tail and a longer primary projection.  Some confusion may arise in distinguishing the juvenile Tennessee warbler from the juvenile Nashville warbler.  The Nashville has yellow undertail coverts, a gray head and no wing bars which should make differentiation easy (the juvenile Tennessee warbler shows faint wing bars).

                                    Tennessee Warbler Male  [Jim Carroll Photo]

In the photo above note the grayish wash on the white breast of this male, the relatively short tail and the narrow sharp bill.

The breeding range of the Tennessee warbler is most of Canada except British Columbia west of the Rocky Mountains, and the extreme north.  It does, however, include some of Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut and northern Quebec and Labrador.  This is truly a Canadian species!  The Tennessee warbler winters from southern Mexico to Venezuela.  Most migrate south over the eastern US and the Gulf of Mexico.  

The preferred habitat of this species on the breeding territory is mixed and boreal forests and bogs.  On the wintering grounds it prefers coffee plantations (a big reminder to buy bird-friendly coffee).  The Tennessee warbler loves our boreal forest.  It contributes greatly to the control of forest insect damage.  One study estimated that some areas during a spruce budworm outbreak could have up to 610 breeding pairs per square kilometre.

This species nests on the ground usually in grassy tussocks, under bushes or in a mossy hillock.  The nest is made of fine grasses and in it are laid 4 to 7 creamy white eggs spotted and blotched with brown.  The female incubates the eggs for 11 to 12 days.  Tennessee warblers eat all forms of insects and arachnids but also sumac seeds and poison ivy berries.  In the past this species was frowned upon for the destruction that it allegedly did to vineyards.  Further study showed that the birds were actually piercing the grapes and drinking the juice.  They were getting a drink, not intentionally destroying the grapes.

So why is this beautiful warbler species named the Tennessee warbler (unless that is another one designated to be changed)?  The naming goes back to 1832 when Alexander Wilson discovered the species on the banks of the Cumberland River in Tennessee and named it thus.  But, it is inappropriate for a bird to be named after a state when its main breeding range is in Canada!  Wilson obtained only two specimens and thus concluded it was a rare warbler.  Hence he gave it the specific name peregrina which comes from the Latin word, peregrinus, meaning 'wanderer'.  Another appropriate name for the Tennessee warbler might be 'Coffee Warbler' since it spends its winters in coffee plantations.  I vote for 'Canadian Boreal Warbler'.  Another interesting fact is that the breeding range for this species was not known until 1901 when they were discovered breeding in Canada.  Where were our enthusiastic birders then?

                                        Tennessee Warbler Male  [Jim Carroll Photo]

Warblers are often identified by their voices.  The Tennessee warbler's song is usually in three parts sometimes two parts.  The song is rapid, loud and described as unmusical.  It has been described in many ways but one is:  tit it it it it it pita pita pita pita pita chit chit chit CHIT.  It can be confused with the song of the Chipping Sparrow.  In my experience I found that when you hear the 3 parts to the song you have learned it and will recognize it in the future.  

The Tennessee Warbler is a plain, little warbler but when you learn how important it is to the ecosystems of New Brunswick and Canada, it moves well up on the list of our favourite birds.  We will be looking forward to seeing it when late April and May arrive.  Check our mixed forests, our boreal forests and our bogs for this little gem.