Pine Warbler

An aptly named bird, the pine warbler is a member of the New World warbler family. With its numbers in a constant upswing, one would expect to spot one with relative ease; sadly though, the bird spends most of its time in pine branches at great heights, often obscured by pine cones and needles.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Parulidae
Genus	Setophaga
Scientific Name	Setophaga Pinus

Quick Information

Other Names	Chipe pinero (Spanish); Paruline des pins (French)
Similar to	Olive-capped Warbler, Yellow rumped Warbler
Size	Length: 5.1-55inches (13-14cm) Wingspan: 7.5-9.1inches (19-23cm)
Weight	0.3-0.5 oz (9-15g)
Color	Adult Male: Olive backs with a bright yellow breast and throat, eyes have yellowish lines above them Adult Females: Backs are olive-brown with paler yellow undersides, olive-brown may sometimes be replaced with gray-brown with similar eye lines as the males Juvenile: Similar to the female
Distribution Range	Most of Eastern North America, from Ontario, Manitoba and Quebec in the north through to the southern tip of Texas in the south; Pine warblers up north venture southwards during winter
Habitat	Pine forests and deciduous forest with pine trees
Songs & Vocalizations	Males use short rapid trills
Lifespan	Up to 8 years
Diet	Mostly insects; also eats fruits, pine seeds
Clutch Size	3-5, mostly 4; 1-3 clutches are produced every year
Incubation Period	12-13 days
Predators	Blue jays have been known to prey on eggs
IUCN Conservation Status	Least Concern

Behavior

Pine warblers forage by moving at a rather sluggish pace on branches and tree trunks, and on the ground when looking for insects. They have been known to exhibit this behavior in flocks made up of other warbler species. They are highly territorial, more so during the breeding season in late March to early June.

Mating and Reproduction

Believed to be monogamous during a breeding season, the males chase other birds away by flying with stiff wing-beats first towards and then away from the intruder, often in circular movements.

Nests are built between April and June solely by the female. The male, however, does accompany the female during the gathering of stuff required for the nest building. Nests are always built on the horizontal branches of a pine tree.

Life Cycle

Eggs are grayish, white or greenish white in appearance, with brown speckles towards the broader ends. Once the young are hatched, both the parents take up the responsibility of bringing food and guarding them. The newborn nestle for an average of 10 days before they become mature enough to venture out on their own. They reach sexual maturity at an age of 1 year.

Interesting Facts

• Unlike other members of the warbler family, pine warblers are known to frequent bird feeders. This is because their diet consists of pine seeds, unlike others of its family.
• Pine warblers play hosts to the malaria-causing endoparasite called Plasmodium.
• The call of the pine warbler is very similar to that of the dark-eyes junco and the chipping sparrow.

References

1. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Pine_Warbler/id
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pine_warbler
3. http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birding/pine-warbler/
4. http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Dendroica_pinus/#ecosystem_roles
5. http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/pine-warbler
6. http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22721719/0