# Black-throated Gray Warbler (*Setophaga nigrescens*) The Black-throated Gray Warbler is a small, lively bird known for its striking black throat and cheerful song. It loves to flit around trees and bushes, making it a delightful sight in nature. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 4 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Black-throated Gray Warbler](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Black-throated_Gray_Warbler_%28Setophaga_nigrescens%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Dominic Sherony, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Black-throated_Gray_Warbler_%28Setophaga_nigrescens%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Black-throated Gray Warbler has a striking black throat and cap contrasting with a gray back. Its belly is white, and it features distinctive white wing bars and a bold yellow spot (lore) between its eye and bill, setting it apart. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Parulidae - **Genus:** Setophaga ## Interesting facts - Black-throated Gray Warblers can sometimes hybridize with other warbler species! - Even tiny warblers fiercely defend their nesting territories from rivals. - Their bright yellow 'lovespot' near the eye is actually called a lore. - These birds often flick their tails, a subtle signal to nearby feathered friends. ## Special abilities - **Insect Acrobatics:** Black-throated Gray Warbler can hang upside down because of strong feet that help them find hidden insects on leaves and branches. - **Forest Blend Master:** Black-throated Gray Warbler has a gray and black feather pattern that helps them blend perfectly with tree bark and shadows. - **Buzzing Melody:** Black-throated Gray Warbler can sing a distinctive buzzing song because of its specialized vocal cords that help them find mates. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 10-13 cm - **Wingspan:** 16-19 cm - **Weight:** 0.007-0.01 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-5 years - **Speed:** 40 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-5 - **Incubation:** 12-13 days - **Migration Distance:** 3000 km ## Diet & Feeding These little birds love munching on tiny insects and spiders they find in the trees! - **Primary Foods:** Caterpillars, Spiders, Beetles, Flies, Aphids - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Cooper's Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cooper-s-hawk) (*Accipiter cooperii*) — a common predator of small songbirds - **Eaten by:** [California Scrub-Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-scrub-jay) (*Aphelocoma californica*) — known to prey on eggs and nestlings - **Shelter:** [Coast Live Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coast-live-oak) (*Quercus agrifolia*) — often builds nests within their branches - **Eats:** Western Tent Caterpillar (*Malacosoma californicum*) — a common insect prey ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching birds from a distance and be quiet so you don't scare them away. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Black-throated Gray Warbler? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Black-throated Gray Warbler? 10-13 cm ### What is Black-throated Gray Warbler's wingspan? 16-19 cm ### How much does Black-throated Gray Warbler weigh? 0.007-0.01 kg ### How long does Black-throated Gray Warbler live? 2-5 years ### How fast can Black-throated Gray Warbler move? 40 km/h ### What does Black-throated Gray Warbler eat? These little birds love munching on tiny insects and spiders they find in the trees! ### Where is Black-throated Gray Warbler usually found? Forests ## Where to spot - [Benbow Lake State Recreation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/benbow-lake-state-recreation-area) — California, US · State Park - [Chiricahua National Monument Historic Designed Landscape](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chiricahua-national-monument-historic-designed-landscape) — Arizona, US · National Park - [Crystal Lake Recreation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/crystal-lake-recreation-area) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Mesa Verde Administrative District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mesa-verde-administrative-district) — Colorado, US · Historic District - [Alexandra Bridge Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alexandra-bridge-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park [View all places to see Black-throated Gray Warbler](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/black-throated-gray-warbler) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Black-throated Gray Warbler: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-throated-gray-warbler)