The Mourning Warbler (Geothlypis philadelphia) could easily go unnoticed if you aren’t paying attention; or don’t know where to look for them.
Their small size can make them easy to overlook, but adult males with their dark black chest patch do stand out once you’re lucky enough to have one in good view.
These are wonderful birds to get in or near your garden if you’re lucky enough.
Mourning Warblers hang about in low shrubs as well as on the ground. They can be wren-like in behavior and even catching a glimpse of them can be a challenge as they do move quickly.
Despite that, if you catch a male in the right mood where he’s found a suitable high perch on top of a bush or shrub, you’ll get fantastic views as well as put a face to that sweet song.
In the wild, Mourning Warblers are insect eaters. Their ideal garden is one with plenty of shrubs and dense places to hide and forage for insects. They are not considered to be a species that takes to bird feeders.
However, that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on these wonderful birds in your backyard. When migrating, Mourning Warblers (along with other warblers) can appreciate a low down bird bath near ground level; just make sure it’s not going to put the birds at risk of predators such as cats.
Image credits:
tombenson76
